1986 – General Accident Building, Donegall Square South, Belfast

Commmissioned in 1976. Purpose designed as new headquarters for the General Accident insurance company, the six storey infill building introduced a post modern elevation to the City centre, with a mix of modern and classical materials.

Divided into three bays, Portland stone, with deeply punctured windows, is suspended in front of a wall of tinted glass, capped by stone pediments and framed dramatically by four red, metal columns, that echo those of the Belfast City Hall. Taking inspiration from its Victorian neighbours around Donegall Square, the facade is divided into three horizontal bands, with a free-standing proscenium arch marking the entrance and adding a third dimension to the bass relief frontage. The tall ribbons of red that ascend the building are grounded in the granite dressing at street level, with a fan detail cut into the stone. The rear elevation and inner courtyard is dressed in smooth Tyrone brick.

The building won a RIBA National and Regional award in 1988. General Accident sold the building in 2016 and it was demolished in 2019. The site is still vacant.