The Lewis Glucksman Gallery, in University College Cork, has been named as the Best Public Building at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland's (RIAI) 16th annual awards. The Special Award was one of seven presented by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Dick Roche TD, to O'Donnell and Tuomey Architects at a reception in the Atrium of the Office of Public Works building on St Stephens Green tonight.
Lewis Glucksman Gallery
O'Donnell and Tuomey Architects
A total of 16 other awards were presented by Anthony Reddy, President of the RIAI and Jim Farrell, Managing Director of Roadstone Dublin Ltd., who are the awards sponsors. In its citation, the assessors praised the Lewis Glucksman Gallery as "a limestone pier and a timber treasure-house in the trees: dreamy and poetic, which repositions the viewer at the centre of the experience of art."
The seven special award winners were:
Best Housing Project
Sheltered Housing and Hostel by
Paul Keogh Architects
Best Building in the Landscape
House at Roslea by Aughey O'Flaherty Architects
House in Clonakility, Cork by Niall Mc Laughlin Architects
Best Commercial Building
IMI – Conference Centre & Bedroom Facility by Arthur Gibney & Partners
Best Public Building
Lewis Glucksman Gallery by O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects
Best Practice in a Conservation / Restoration Project Sponsored by the Heritage Council
The Browne Clayton Column by Howley Harrington Architects
Best sustainable Project sponsored by the Department of the Environment
Athlone Civic Centre – Central Library by Keith Williams Architects
Additional awards presented:
Internal Alterations and Extension at 39 Malone Park, Belfast by Todd Architects
The Mall, Armagh – Restoration of Urban Park by Alastair Coey Architects
Mortuary / Post Mortem Suite by Henry J Lyons & Partners
Poustinia by Architects Bates Maher
Irish Architectural Archive by OPW, Architectural Services
Waterford City Council Central Library by Mc Cullough Mulvin Architects
House at Kilcornan Ennistymon, Co Clare by Michael Kelly
SAP Galway by Bucholz Mc Evoy Architects
Lavelle's Pharmacy by Studio M Architects
Brooke Heussaff Residence by NJBA Architects + Urban Designers
Donore Avenue Youth & Community Centre by Henchion + Reuter Architects
4 St. James Terrace by FKL Architects
Alma Lane by Boyd Cody Architects
Low Cost Housing, London by Niall McLaughlin Architects
Barra Park Open Air Theatre, London by Brady Mallalieu Architects
Ireland's Pavillion at Venice Biennale by Todd Architects
In his opening address Mr Reddy said that the awards "Recognise the significance of good architecture, not only for the immediate end users but also for its contribution to quality of the built environment and its impact on the wider public", adding "the fact that such a variety of successful buildings has won awards this year is testament to the continually rising standard of building design across the spectrum in Ireland. Among the award winners this year, we have a mix of the large and the small, the public and the private, the urban and the rural."
The awards attracted 153 entries this year, which marks the final year of the Government programme for Action on Architecture 2002-2005. Mr Reddy explained that "One of the main strands in the programme is the promotion of public awareness of architecture, and the Irish Architecture Awards are a major part of the RIAI's contribution to achieving that objective." The exhibition will travel to venues throughout the country, including Northern Ireland, and will travel also to London.
Addressing the subject of urban planning, and the future requirements for Ireland's urban centres, Mr Reddy pointed out that "Projects designed by qualified architects represent only a small proportion of the overall built environment. Quality architecture must be considered to be an essential ingredient of well thought-out urban policies, and not merely the icing on the cake. Vast sums of money are due to be spent on construction in this country over the next 10 years. It is incumbent upon the state and developers to see that this money is well invested, with the highest possible standards being applied, in order to maximise both the economic and the social benefits of development to local communities and to Irish society as a whole."
Underlining the essential role played by the architect in this process is the forthcoming Building Control Bill, which will register the title of Architect. Mr Reddy explained "This legislation, when enacted, will protect the public by ensuring that those calling themselves architects have the proper training, experience and adherence to a recognised code of conduct."
