The development scheme at Hanover Quay in Dublin, designed by O’ Mahony Pike architects, has been named as Best Housing Project at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) annual Architecture Awards. There were nine winning projects, eight of which were presented with awards by Dublin’s City Manager, John Tierney, today (Tuesday, 26th June). The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Batt O’ Keeffe, T.D. presented the award for Best Sustainability Project. RTE broadcaster Ryan Tubridy hosted the Awards at a ceremony in the offices of the RIAI on Merrion Square.

Hanover Quay in the Grand Canal Dock area of Dublin consists of 292 residential units, crèche, retail and commercial accommodation and a pub. Speaking on behalf of O’ Mahony Pike architects, Conor Kinsella explained, "We are honoured to receive the RIAI architecture award for the Best Housing Project. We wanted to create a balance between the neighbouring residential areas around Pearse Street and the industrial scale of the Grand Canal Basin. The area has become a vibrant quarter of the city, combining residential and commercial development. The aim was to create a contemporary residential development that would stand the test of time".

The eight other winning projects include the following:

• Best Accessible Project – Architectural Services, Office of Public Works (OPW) for the Marine Institute Headquarters, Galway;
• Best Education Building – de Blacam and Meagher/ Boyd Barrett Murphy - O’Connor Architects for Cork Institute of Technology;
• Best Health Building – Murray O’ Laoire/ Brian O’ Connell Associates for the Bon Secours Day Hospital and Chapel in Galway;
• Best House Extension – Keith Williams Architects for the Long House, Abercorn Close, London;
• Best Leisure Building – Vincent Coleman for the Anglers Facility Building, Cathedral Beat, River Moy, Ballina, Co. Mayo;
• Best Office Development/ Commercial – Carr Cotter Naessens for 15 Henry Street, Limerick;
• Best Public Cultural Building – McCullough Mulvin for the Source Arts Centre and Library, Thurles, Co. Tipperary;
• Best Sustainable Project – A + D Wejchert and Partners Architects for the Nurse Education Building, Waterford Institute of Technology.

Mr. John Graby, Director of the RIAI, highlighted the significance of the awards, "The RIAI Awards mark the highest achievements in architectural practice in Ireland in any given year. Now in its 19th year, the emphasis is on the importance of quality in the built environment and ensuring quality is the rule rather than the exception. Since the recent enactment of new building control legislation – the Building Control Act – a range of provisions have been designed to improve building standards. The legislation registers the title of architect and protects the public by ensuring that those calling themselves architects have the proper training, experience and adherence to a recognised code of conduct".

"This year we were delighted with the quality and increased number of entries. There were 187 entries and 59 of these were selected for the final exhibition. Of the nine projects selected for awards, five of them are publicly funded. It is important that public money is used to procure the highest standard of buildings which contribute to the overall built environment and it is hoped that the new procurement methods introduced by government will not compromise standards in any way.

Standards are continually rising as are peoples’ expectations; this is why it is so important to promote inclusive design and to ensure we invest in well designed buildings that can be sustained for long term needs. Sustainability considerations need to be widened to take account of the life time usage of buildings".

In terms of sustainability, this award was presented to A + D Wejchert and Partners Architects for the Nurse Education building at Waterford Institute of Technology. The architect, Paddy Fletcher, explained, "We needed to address the multiple functions housed in the building. The brief dealt with aspects of light, space, sustainability and environmental issues. The building revolves around a central atrium which contributes to the strategy of daylighting, natural ventilation and energy conservation and provides a focal point for student congregation and access to all teaching and support areas".