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Five Cork projects scooped top awards at the 2019 RIAI Architecture Awards at a ceremony at the Mansion House in Dublin.

All of the projects on the shortlist were designed by RIAI-registered architects, based in Ireland and overseas, and were completed in 2018.

The five winning Cork projects are: 

1. Sunday’s Well Houses won the award for Living. Designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey, these two houses are located on a south-facing steeply sloping site. One house, the smaller of the two, designed for a retired couple, bookends the existing terrace of houses. The tower house, designed for a larger family, sits in its own terraced gardens, with uninterrupted views over parkland and city skyline.

2. Cork Criminal Courthouse won the award for Innovation. The Courthouse was designed by OPW Architects, Wilson Architects and Bluett O’Donoghue. The decision to move Criminal Court functions to a new building constructed in the former playground to the rear of the 19c Model School has meant a significant improvement in Court administration and it has also brought life to this area of the city centre. Photo: Ros Cavanagh.

3. Cavanagh Bridge, UCC won the award for Public Space. The Bridge was designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey architects and acts as a crucial link in the chain of connection between the UCC campus core and the Western Road. It opens up a new entrance to the university from the north city area and makes the green space, known as Perrott’s Inch, along the river available for use by the campus community and members of the public.

4. The expansion at Bon Secours Care Village won the award for Wellbeing. The Expansion was designed by O’Connell Mahon Architects. Expanding an existing building on a steeply sloped site presented a unique challenge, requiring careful consideration of complex geometries. The primary design driver was the creation of residential accommodation that is compassionate to the needs of residents, as well as providing communal spaces to encourage the best possible quality of life. Photo: Jed Niezgoda 

5. The Future Award (Best new emerging practice) went to Simply Architecture’s Gareth Sullivan. Simply Architecture is a young Cork-based practice that focuses on simple yet innovative design solutions in their work. According to judges, their domestic scale projects have shown a strong consideration for scale, form and context in rural locations and on challenging urban sites.