Innovative house on edge of the bay in architectural awards

Áine Ryan

AN innovative house, overlooking Clew Bay and called ‘Kilsallagh’ is the only Co Mayo project in the shortlist for the RIAI Irish Architecture Public Choice Awards. It can be voted for online until Friday next, June 16.  
Last year’s Public Choice award winner was the Public Space and Sculpture, Westport, by Simon Wall, Architects’ Section, Mayo County Council. The space features an imposing sculpture by Achill-based sculptor, Ronan Halpin.  
The citation about ‘Kilsallagh’, which was designed by Dublin based Aughey O’Flaherty Architects, states that it took ‘its inspiration from the views that surround it – Croagh Patrick to the east and Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Completely different in nature, the design comes from relating to these opposite conditions’.
Now the 2017 shortlist of 60 houses, offices, schools and colleges, heritage locations from across the country is available to view at www.riai.ie/publicchoice
The 2017 shortlist includes 60 projects  – houses, offices, schools and colleges, heritage locations – across 13 counties, with three international entries from  Hungary, Poland and Palestine. All of them have been designed by RIAI registered architects. While Dublin is strongly represented with 32 buildings or places on the list, there are also two entries from Northern Ireland.
Interestingly, a revitalisation project of the town of Clonakilty, undertaken by Cork County Council is among the shortlist. Here, the judges remarked: “When designing their public realm facelift with their town architect, [Clonakilty was] confidently ready for a new layer of contemporary functionality, life style and urban sensibility and embracing public space as the town’s new living room.”
Sponsored by Gerflor, the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards, will be announced on Friday, June 23, at an awards dinner at the Mansion House, Dublin.
 
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www.riai.ie/publicchoice