merrion street

Today, 12 December 2013, the fourth volume of the RIAI’s Annual Review, Irish Architecture 2013/14 was launched by Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and RIAI President Michelle Fagan at the RIAI. The publication was realised with the support of the Government Policy on Architecture (2009-2015).

Speaking at the launch Minister Deenihan said: “This publication illustrates the talent and commitment to high quality architecture in Ireland. Our architecture is an important reflection of our society. Publications like the Irish Architecture Review illustrate the talent of our architects and the important commitment to quality by the State and many private clients. It is heartening that so many in the position to procure buildings recognise that high quality architecture adds more value to the community than just the delivery of a good building.”

The RIAI Annual Review, Irish Architecture 2013/14 celebrates the achievements in design and conservation by Irish architects, showcasing 20 projects across a variety of strands including culture, public, education, housing, international and the work of emerging practices. These projects are internationally recognised to be of the highest quality; with all of the projects winning national awards and many being recipients of international recognition. Irish architecture is currently considered to be of the highest international quality and the RIAI is once again delighted to celebrating a selection of this work in its Annual Review.

Following on from the tradition established by Volumes 1–3, the RIAI will be using the publication to promote the work of Irish architects to new international audiences.

The projects features were drawn from the 2012 and 2013 cycles of the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards— Ireland’s premier architecture awards—to reflect both topicality and quality. Volume 4 has a strong focus on sustainability, as reflected in the cover project the Bord Gais Networks Services Centre, which won both the ‘Best Sustainable Building’ and ‘Best Commerical Building’ in the 2013 RIAI Awards. Other areas of focus include Health Centre Care Design and Educational Design, from primary schools to third level, such as the award-wining UCD Student Centre. The enduring quality and contribution of architecture is expressed in coverage of the RIAI Triennial Gold Medal, which was awarded in November 2013 to Poustinia a project of retreat cabins for the Rosminian Order by the young Irish architects Kevin Bates and Tom Maher.

The accompanying essays in the Volume address the contribution of Irish architecture to society, the cultural history of Irish architecture and the imaginative work of emerging practices.