Architecture Night 2019

Joan McCoy (RSUA President) opens Architecture Night 2019

Architecture Night is a celebration all about connecting people who want to make Northern Ireland a more attractive place through great architecture.

Architecture Night aims to:

  • Raise the profile of architecture in Northern Ireland and open it up to a wider audience.
  • Enhance the connections between architects and the many other organisations and people who influence our built environment.
  • Bring together architects working in private practice, public service, other organisations and those no longer working.
  • Get people thinking about the full potential of what architecture could do for Northern Ireland – for citizens, tourists and investors.
  • Highlight and celebrate the contribution to architecture made by people who are not architects.
  • Showcase the best student projects from Belfast’s two architecture schools.
  • Strengthen the connection between those studying architecture and architectural practices.
  • Showcase the creativity and talent of early-career architects.

Event 2019

Architecture Night 2019 took place on the evening of Friday 18th October 2019. The event, hosted by the BBC’s Mark Simpson, was structured in three main parts as follows…

Part 1: An exhibition of the best student projects and revealing the winners of the RSUA Bronze and Silver medal winners.

Exhibition of student projects at Architecture Night 2019

Part 2: An exhibition of the ideas submitted to the 2019 Early Career Design Competition which challenges Early Career Architects to react to the theme of “CityPlay”.  The competition seeks ideas for a temporary intervention or interventions which recognise the importance of recreation to the built environment.

Exhibition of the 2019 Early Career Design Competition which explored the theme “CityPlay”
Games Room, Architecture Night 2019

Part 3: Recognition of the contribution to architecture in Northern Ireland by two non-architects and the granting to them of RSUA Honorary Membership.

L-R: John Busteed with Bill Wolsey, Honorary Member RSUA and Joan McCoy, RSUA President
L-R: John Tuomey, Sheila O’Donnell, and Architecture Night 2019 host Mark Simpson

Food was served at each of the three stages and there were no set tables. A complimentary bar was available throughout the evening. There was a range of live music and dress was freestyle.

Venue

The former Masonic Hall of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim in Rosemary Street, Belfast hosted Architecture Night 2019.  This three-storey stone piece of hidden Belfast was designed by Young & Mackenzie and is finding new purpose in the regeneration of Belfast City Centre.  At a time when interest in heritage-led regeneration is growing in Belfast, this former Masonic Hall provided a perfect location to celebrate local architecture.

Architecture Night 2019 is sponsored by: