Building and Architect of the Year Awards showcases leading design and build practices by Irish architects in Ireland and abroad

Architecture industry veteran Tony Reddy picked up the top individual prize at the 7th Building and Architect of the Year Awards for his outstanding contribution to architecture. The former president of both the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Architectural Association of Ireland (AAI) runs his own business Reddy Architecture and Urbanism, which was also shortlisted for an award.

The top gong, the building of the year award, went to Metropolitan Workshop for Annesley Gardens, Ranelagh. Metropolitan Workshop partner Jonny McKenna, said: “Annesley Gardens demonstrates how carefully modelled schemes can bring forward characterful places on tight urban sites. This low-rise medium-density housing model allows for the creation of a street-based urbanism which builds on existing infrastructure by incorporating new housing types.”

Broadcaster and author Colm O’Regan hosted the awards at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry Demesne, Dublin 9, on 20th April, 2023. The event showcased the best of the €2.8 billion Irish building and design sector, celebrating the forward-thinking designers and builders.

The Irish Times was communications partner to the awards and was joined by gold sponsors SAS International, Vescom, Vibe by Vision Branding, 2tec2, Walls Construction, HandleCraft and Globoserv Ltd. The event was supported by Amárach Research.

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Joining other finalists was Staunton Henderson Architecture and Interior Design. Maeve Staunton, creative director, said: “These prestigious awards allow high quality practices to get together and celebrate excellent architecture. This office chose to thank our clients by inviting them to the gala as our special guests. We look forward to another glamorous event next year.”

Barry Hennessy, business development and marketing director for Walls Construction said, “As a top five construction company in Ireland, we are delighted to be able to contribute and be a part of an event that gives recognition to the achievements of architects in Ireland. Being associated with the event as a sponsor gives us further opportunity to meet with some of the key players and most influential people working within our sector.”

Pascall and Watson were also finalists. Jaine Bolton, head of marketing, said, “Pascall and Watson Architects congratulates all the winners of the Building and Architect of the Year Awards. The awards are a testament to the dedication and contributions that this talented and passionate community is making to the architecture industry in Ireland.”

Joining as a sponsor was SAS International, whose director, Cathal McGuinness said: “Dublin is known for its 200-year-old Georgian architecture. Many of the projects we are seeing today have the longevity and quality to be providing workplaces, education and housing to generations in another two centuries. SAS International are proud to be sponsors of the Building and Architect of the Year Awards.”

Joining the list of impressive finalists were Reddy Architecture and Urbanism whose associate director and head of interiors, Lisa Smyth, said: “The standard of entries at the years Building and Architect of the Year Awards was again exceptionally high this year, and we would like to congratulate all of our contemporaries on their winning projects. It was wonderful for Reddy Architecture team to celebrate Tony Reddy’s receipt of a lifetime achievement award at the event, and to recognise his longstanding contribution to architecture both in Ireland and abroad.”

Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director partnership programmes, Business River said, “We are thankful to our 2023 sponsors and professional partners, which includes SAS International, Vescom, 2tec2, Vibe by Vision Branding, Walls Construction, HandleCraft, and Globoserv Ltd. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”

The awards were judged by a distinguished panel of experts drawn from all areas of the build and design community.

Full list of judges:

Máire Henry (judging co-ordinator), director, DHB architects and head of the department of architecture and built environment, South East Technological University (SETU)
Ann Marie Aguilar, senior vice president, EMEA Region, WELL Faculty at the IWBI
Britt Berentzen, programme director for the interior design and interior architecture programmes in the design faculty, Griffith College
Gerard Bourke, senior architect, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Alan Crawford, founding partner, Crawford Partnership
Brian Jennings, managing director, Jennings Design Studio
Derry Kearney, managing director Ireland and partner, Cundall
Pat Kirwan, director and head of MMC delivery, C and W O’Brien Architects
Art McCormack, co-founder, MosArt
Michael Mullen, principal and head of the culture and leisure, BDP
Peter Scanlon, lecturer, Atlantic Technological University
Michael Stiff, founder, Stiff and Trevillion Architects, UK
Lydia Szewczyk, senior associate, EMEA, International WELL Building Institute

Full list of winners: