Mayo architects runners-up in vote to find Ireland’s favourite building

A CASTLEBAR firm of architects have been named runners-up of the Public Choice Award in the 2020 Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Irish Architecture Awards.

The Tooting Meadow housing development in Drogheda, designed by local practice McKevitt King Architects, was voted winner.

Second place went to the Kylemore Abbey Interpretation Project in Connemara, which was designed by Axo Architects.

Thirty-three projects were shortlisted for the RIAI Public Choice Award, all of which were designed by RIAI-registered architects and completed in 2019.

Said Ciaran O’Connor, RIAI president: “The standard of entries on the Public Choice Award shortlist is consistently high each year and we had great public interest, which reflects the valuable contribution that architects make to the spaces in which we live, work and interact socially.

“The RIAI is committed to the development of quality housing that addresses the country’s changing demographics while also creating sustainable neighbourhoods in our towns and villages. Tooting Meadow is a perfect example of this approach as it transformed a derelict site in the town centre into a mixed-unit development with community at its core.”

The Public Choice Award is an important element of the annual RIAI Irish Architecture Awards, now in their 31st year, which celebrate the quality of work by RIAI members at home and abroad and create awareness of the important role that architecture plays in delivering Ireland’s societal and economic infrastructure.

The RIAI Irish Architecture Awards will be announced in full in the autumn.