The Irish Times

Cork City Council was yesterday commended by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland for promoting high quality contemporary architecture while respecting the urban fabric of the city centre through holding a design competition for a historic part of the city. RIAI president Anthony Reddy praised Cork City Council for its decision to hold a Design Ideas competition in conjunction with the RIAI for the redevelopment of the Kyrls Quay area. Mr Reddy explained that the main aims of the competition were to promote high quality urban design and architecture as well as to identify options for the redevelopment of the prominent group of sites between North Gate Bridge and Cornmarket Street. Mr Reddy was speaking following the announcement that the competition - which carried a first prize of €5,000 - had been won by Irish company Conroy Architecture, whose principals, Bobby Conroy and Patrick Little were praised for their design for the waterfront site. More than 80 entries were received for the competition with most entries coming from Ireland, though submissions were received from as far afield as Japan, the US and Australia as well as from the UK, Denmark, Italy, France, Germany and Greece.