Irish architects building a reputation

Women from two Irish architectural practices have been shortlisted for the AJ Women in Architecture Awards. Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell of Grafton Architects (see feature on page 10) and Roisin Heneghan, co-founder of Heneghan Peng, are up for the UK-based Architect's Journal award, which will be announced on February 2nd.

The organisers of the award, whose jury includes Doreen Lawrence, founder of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, architect Eva Jiricna, Laura Lee, chief executive of Maggie's Centres, and AJ editor Christine Murray, say the women "are leading the architectural industry and creating much-needed role models for women in the profession".

Others on the shortlist are Francine Houben of Mecanoo, who was behind the Library of Birmingham; Maria Langarita of Langarita-Navarro Arquitectos, Madrid-based designers of the Red Bull Music Academy headquarters; Kirsten Lees of Grimshaw who developed a Wimbledon masterplan; Sadie Morgan of dRMM and president of the Architectural Association; and Adriana Natcheva of Groves Natcheva Architects. Eight women have also been shortlisted for the Emerging Woman Architect of the Year award.

Heneghan Peng designed the Giant’s Causeway visitor centre and Roisin Heneghan is overseeing the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit.