MacGabhann Architects’ cultural centre in County Donegal turns up the volume

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Letterkenny is no great shakes as a town. An important commercial centre, yes, but considerably less engaging than Derry to the east, just across the border into Northern Ireland, and with markedly less scenic appeal than Donegal’s spectacular landscape and coastline to the west, north and, for that matter, south. For architects, however, this hilly town of around 18,000 people is becoming very interesting indeed because it is now home to two of MacGabhann Architects’ extraordinary buildings: the Council Area Office of 2002 and this recently completed Regional Cultural Centre. Moreover, the visibility of each of these public buildings from the other, and the 19th century cathedral from both, has become a key triangulation of the town.

Building Design