Courtney McDonnell Architects and Henry J Lyons have emerged as the main winners at the prestigious Building and Architect of the Year Awards 2025, held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin.
The eighth annual awards ceremony, hosted by Colm O’Regan, saw Courtney McDonnell claim the coveted building of the year trophy, while Henry J Lyons was named architectural practice of the year by the distinguished judging panel.
Courtney McDonnell Architects’ winning project is an innovative renovation of a family home on Griffith Avenue in Dublin. The red brick dwelling underwent significant transformation, with designers peeling back the property and adding a new side extension to relocate the front door to face the avenue.
In their award citation, the judges described the project as “exceptional” and “a testament to the firm’s ability to create architecture that is both visionary and impactful”. They praised the practice for “outstanding design, innovation, and contribution to the built environment”.
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Aoife Grogan, project architect at Courtney McDonnell Architects, expressed her delight at the recognition. “It’s incredible to be recognised amongst the amazing projects, and it’s great to get such amazing exposure,” she said. “The talent in Irish architecture is amazing, and we’re just absolutely honoured to be included.”
The award citation for Henry J Lyons referenced the practice’s outstanding body of work and lasting impact on the architectural profession.
“Our panel has identified the firm’s designs as among the best in the field, demonstrating excellence, innovation and a commitment to shaping the built environment. Being chosen for this honour reflects the high regard of industry peers and cements Henry J Lyons’ reputation as a leader in architecture,” the citation stated.
The Building & Architect of the Year Awards celebrate excellence in architecture and construction, recognising the achievements of architects, designers and construction professionals across Ireland.
Now in its eighth year, the awards showcase innovation, quality and outstanding design in the built environment. This year’s awards attracted 115 entries across 23 categories, with 262 industry professionals in attendance at the gala ceremony.
Barry Hennessy, director, business development & marketing, at awards gold sponsor Walls Construction, commented: “Architects are essential partners in everything we do at Walls Construction. Supporting the Building & Architect of the Year Awards is our way of recognising their vital role in shaping exceptional projects. It’s a standout event that continues to grow in prestige, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Stephen Pierce, director at gold sponsor Texspace, the exclusive agent and distributor for the Vescom upholstery collection, said the firm is proud to be continuing its sponsorship of the Building & Architects Awards.
“We are indebted to the architectural community in Ireland for their continued support in specifying and working with our products,” he added. “We are privileged to give back through sponsorship of this event. We had a wonderful evening with wonderful food, wine and company. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.”
The public building award was presented to Cook Architects for its conservation work at Bantry Library, which opened in 1974 and is of considerable historical significance. Dermot Harrington, Cook Architects director and author of ‘Bantry’s Brutalist Bibliotheque’, commented: “We strive to produce quality architecture, and receiving an award like this is very special to the practice.”
Judging coordinator Britt Berentzen noted that the Building & Architect of the Year Awards provide a fantastic opportunity for Irish architectural practices to showcase their best work and receive the recognition they deserve.
“Many of the entries demonstrate excellence, meeting the awards’ strict entry criteria and presenting evidence of a rigorous development process, which resulted in high scores,” she explained.
“The projects highlighted this year show a strong commitment to sustainability, often incorporating innovative and sustainable materials, energy-efficient building designs with renewable energy integration or near-zero energy consumption and waste reduction. It is clear that Ireland’s architectural sector is bursting with talent and the BAYA awards truly showcase Irish architecture at its best,” Ms Berentzen added.
Gary Cohn, design director at COHN, award winner in the retail building category, said: “It’s a nice competition, with high quality professionals presenting their work. It’s great to see everybody with this calibre in one space.”
Fiona Brugha, senior architect at award finalist Patrick Dunne Architects, added: “The energy and sensitivity that architects are bringing to projects is inspiring. This year’s awards showed wonderful creativity, craft, and environmental awareness.”
Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at Business River, the awards organiser, stated: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2025 gold sponsors, which include Vescom, Texfel, Texspace, and Walls Construction. I also want to recognise our supporters, Cronin Group and Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”
Awards judges
- Britt Berentzen (judging coordinator) – programme director, interior architecture & design, Griffith College Dublin
- Ann-Marie Aguilar – SVP, IWBI
- Seán Barrett – director and architect, Darmody Architecture
- Stephen Carr – director, Stephen Carr Architects
- Michael Frain – director and co-owner, Bright Design Architects
- Emma Geoghegan – head of architecture, TU Dublin
- Mike Haslam – architect director, Haslam and Co Architects Ltd
- Brian Jennings – award-winning RIAI architect, designer, assigned certifier, guest lecturer, Jennings Design Studio
- Aleksandar Kostic – lecturer and architect, South East Technological University
- John Mitchell – consultant, DMOD Architects
- Anna Ryan Moloney – associate professor of architecture, University of Limerick
- Johann Muldoon – managing director, Manor Architects
- Martina Murphy – senior academic and architecture leader, Ulster University
- Brian O’Neill – company director, MCORM Architects
- Emer O’Sullivan – director, Hussey Architects
- Emmett Scanlon – director, Irish Architecture Foundation
- Peter Scanlon – lecturer, Atlantic Technological University
- Maeve Staunton – director, Staunton Henderson Architects
- Michael Stiff – founder, Stiff+Trevillion
- Lydia Szewczyk – senior associate, EMEA International WELL Building Institute
Award winners
Building of the year
Winner: Courtney McDonnell Architects – Griffith Avenue
Architectural practice of the year
Winner: Henry J Lyons
Building of the year – net zero/passive house
Winner: McCullough Mulvin Architects – Egremont
Building of the year – retail
Winner: COHN – Armatile Dublin Design Centre
Building of the year – medical & health
Winner: OCMA – Residential Treatment Centre for Dublin Simon Community
Building of the year – educational
Winner: BDP – Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Coonagh Campus
Building of the year – public
Winner: Cook Architects, Design Forum, Cork County Council – Bantry Library
Building of the year – tourism, leisure & hospitality (sponsored by Vescom)
Winner: O’Brien Architects – Vaughan’s Pier
Building of the year – office (large) (sponsored by Texfel)
Winner: TOT Architects – The Sidings Office
Building of the year – office (medium) (sponsored by Walls Construction)
Winner: Henry J Lyons – Two Grand Parade
Building of the year – office (small) (sponsored by Walls Construction)
Winner: Little Black Box Collective – Dublin 8 Workspace
Sustainability award for a single building or development
Winner: BDP – Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Coonagh Campus
Conservation award for a single building or development
Winner: RKD – St Mary’s Church
House extension refurbishment – large
Winner: Courtney McDonnell Architects – Griffith Avenue
House extension refurbishment – medium
Winner: Desiun Architects – Leeson Park Avenue
Single house building of the year
Winner: Bruen Architects – Sliabh Go Farraige
Multi-discipline collaboration achievement
Winner: Fuinneamh Workshop, Civil and Structural Engineering Advisors, MTU Engineering Department, Wiseman Carpentry & Building Services and John Barron Thatcher – Den talamh
Building refurbishment for a single building or development
Winner: BDP – Drogheda Civic Offices
Housing project of the year – large
Winner: Coady Architects – Innovation Square Apartments
Housing project of the year – medium
Winner: Harcourt Technologies – Grange Close 3DCP Housing Project
Best use of digital technology
Winner: MCORM – Leveraging Revit, Cesium and Unreal Engine
Social impact award
Winner: Fuinneamh Workshop – Den talamh
Rising star in architecture
Winner: Studio Idir – Katie Stringer
