RIAI Awards

The Millennium Wing of the National Gallery and Shannon Airport’s new terminal building were among the winners in this year’s Irish Architecture Awards announced this morning.

In the 13th year of the awards, there were 199 entries. Thirty-three awards were presented by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) at a ceremony in Dublin this morning.

The gallery wing has been described as breathtaking, visionary and sophisticated. It was designed by award-winning architects Benson & Forsyth and opened in January at a cost of €33 million.

Shannon Airport terminal took the Best Commerical Building award. Other winners in the special category awards were the Aberfoyle Research Pavillions (Best Building in the Landscape), Darndale Belcamp Village Centre (Best Contribution to Urban Design and 150 Howth Road (Best Housing Project).

RIAI Director Mr John Graby welcomed the fact that 16 of the award-winning buildings have been funded in whole or in part by Government bodies or agencies.

“The standard of the entries received this year illustrates that the quality of design is continuing to improve significantly. For the institute, the awards represent an ideal opportunity to promote public awareness of architects, and how architects contribute to the wider community,” he said.

“Good quality architecture adds value through design, not just to the building itself, but to the community in which the building is located”.