Northern Irish architects scoop two UK-wide RIBA awards

27/06/2019

The winner of the Liam McCormick Prize for Northern Ireland’s Building of the Year, Colin Connect Transport Hub & Colin Town Square in west Belfast, and Northern Ireland’s House of the Year, House at Lessans have both received RIBA National Awards. 

The Colin Connect Transport Hub & Colin Town Square, designed by Hall McKnight for the Department for Infrastructure, the Urban Villages Initiative, Colin Neighbourhood Partnership and Translink, is the west Belfast terminus for the Glider and along with the new square will act as the focal point for further regeneration in Colin Town Centre.

The House at Lessans in Saintfield, designed by McGonigle McGrath for a private client is also being considered as one of twenty entrants for RIBA’s House of the Year award, which is the UK’s most prestigious award for a new house or extension, and will feature on Grand Designs in the autumn. 

It was a particularly strong year for Northern Irish architecture with two of the four projects which won RSUA Design Awards, the Northern Irish architecture awards, going on to win a RIBA National Award.

The other two winners of RSUA Design Awards were the sustainable office development, Belfast City Quays 2 designed by Grimshaw Architects, and the new community radio station Raidió Fáilte – Lionra Uladh designed by McGurk Architects and ARdMackel.

Commenting on the RIBA National Award winning projects, RSUA Director Ciarán Fox said,

“These are two fine examples of the quality, creativity and resourcefulness of Northern Irish architects.  Both buildings in different ways should inspire local clients and architects to push for higher standards of design in our built environment.”