20 Outstanding Projects Celebrated at RIAI Architecture Awards 2024

The RIAI has announced the winners of the 2024 RIAI Architecture Awards. The Awards Jury selected 20 winners across 9 different categories, including Sustainability, Restoration and Repair, and Urban Design and Public Realm.

The RIAI Public Choice Award – where the Irish public select their favourite building or public space – was previously announced this morning by RIAI President, Sean Mahon.

The Lark Concert Hall in Balbriggan came first in the category, winning the overall award with Castleblayney Library and Market Square Regeneration coming in second, followed by Kinsale Library in third. 

RIAI President, Sean Mahon FRIAI, said: "I want to extend my warmest congratulations to the award winners and those who were shortlisted for this year's RIAI Awards. This achievement is not only a celebration of individual excellence but also a testament to the profound impact these projects have on our built environment. Each project plays a crucial role in enhancing our social fabric, economy, culture, and identity. With this year’s theme focusing on sustainability, and the reuse and retrofit of old buildings for enhanced energy efficiency, I am delighted to see several projects thrive in this area with many acting as a guiding example of effective transformation. This year’s projects have been truly spectacular, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these architects."

This year’s awards recognised Kinsale Library by Cork County Council Architects’ Department as the winner of the Conservation, Adaptation and Re-Use category – an inspiring example of how vacant buildings in our towns can be transformed into vibrant community amenities. The jury also recognised 14 Clarendon Street by Shaffrey Architects for its skilled Restoration and Repair.

In Public Buildings and Infrastructure, the jury presented St. David's Holy Faith Secondary School in Greystones by McCullough Mulvin Architects and the Rock Wing, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital by Scott Tallon Walker Architects with Awards.

The Workplace Award went to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications Headquarters by the Office of Public Works, which was also recognised with a Sustainability Award as an exemplary retrofit project for Ireland that can be applied to other buildings.

The importance of well-designed public spaces was highlighted by the Awards for Urban Design and Public Realm which went to The Campus in Cherrywood by MOLA Architecture and Sandyford Central by Henry J Lyons.

In the largest category, Living, the jury recognised different types of housing including Adaptions with Awards going to Apple Tree Terrace by Scullion Architects; Barney’s Ruins by Patrick Bradley Architect; and High Street Balbriggan by Robert Bourke Architects. Living in a Landscape by Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects won the Award for New House. For Housing Developments, the jury presented awards to Cornamona Court by Paul Keogh Architects; One Lime Street by Henry J Lyons; and Wilkinsons Brook by Proctor and Matthews Architects, de Blacam and Meagher Architects and Doran Cray.

The jury also awarded an exemplar of Low-Rise Medium-Density Housing by DTA Architects, Infill Housing & Rectory at Purser Gardens, Rathmines. The RIAI has been advocating for this new housing typology to create sustainable communities in our cities and towns.

The Jury presented a Research Award to the Office of Public Works and Shaffrey Architects for their work into ‘Improving the energy efficiency of heritage properties in State care’; while a second Award was given to Donaghy and Dimond Architects for their housing and urban design research, ‘Model Housing and Urban Horticulture’.

Last but not least, the Jury made a Special Award to O’Donnell + Tuomey for a unique ‘Collaboration between designers and craftsperson’s’ for Stone Vessel. Built hand-by-hand, stone-by-stone by stone masons from Ireland and Japan in collaboration with Joseph Walsh Studio, the vessel is of an extraordinary quality.

The RIAI announced 20 winners across 9 categories: