After a thorough evaluation by a panel of expert architects from Ireland and GB, the Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has narrowed down the search for Northern Ireland’s top architectural works in 2024 to the final nine.
Ciarán Fox, Director of RSUA, emphasised the profound impact of our built environment on daily life, stressing the need for meticulous attention to client, user, community and environmental needs in every architectural endeavour.
He added, “After assessing this year’s submissions, our distinguished judging panel has concluded that each of these works of architecture demonstrates an element of delight, invention or ambition deserving of a more thorough examination.”
Budgets range from the £100m restoration of the Bank Buildings in Belfast City Centre and the multi-million-pound new build Ulster University Belfast campus to a few hundred thousand for a shipping container home built on ruins as featured in the BBC show, Restoration Rescue.
Belfast practice Hall Black Douglas has had an outstanding year with four projects still in the running for an award.
Throughout March, the judging panel will visit each of the shortlisted schemes. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday, May 9, at The Mac in Belfast.
All shortlisted projects have a chance to vie for the Liam McCormick Prize – Northern Ireland’s building of the year. They will also be considered for a UK-wide RIBA National Award in recognition of their architectural excellence, with results announced in June.
The nine shortlisted projects are:
Bank Buildings, Belfast
Major restoration work completed following Primark fire.
Architect(s): Hall Black Douglas Architects and JCA Architects
Contractor: Bennett Construction Ltd
Ulster University Belfast Campus
Ulster University’s 12-year project bringing the Jordanstown campus to Belfast City Centre.
Architect(s): Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios with McAdam Design, Scott Tallon Walker and White Ink Architects.
Contractor: Sacyr Somague
St. Comgall’s, Belfast
Restoration of former 1930s school to community centre.
Architect(s): Hall Black Douglas Architects
Contractor: P&K McKaigue
Gardenmore Green, Dunmurry
Urban social housing project helping to tackle the housing crisis in West Belfast.
Architect(s): Hall Black Douglas Architects
Contractor: Derryleckagh Contracts
Moylinney Court, Newtownabbey
Social housing scheme for the elderly.
Architect(s): Hall Black Douglas Architects
Contractor: Kelly Brothers
Barneys Ruins, Maghera
Shipping container home built on cottage ruins.
Architect(s): Patrick Bradley Architect
Contractor: NA
House in the Woods/Lough Road House, Lisburn
One-off house built in woodland setting.
Architect(s): Studio idir
Contractor: Kudos
House on Redbrae Farm, Ballynahinch
One-off house built on rural farmstead.
Architect(s): McGonigle McGrath Architects
Contractor: Marlfield Cons
Longhurst, Belfast
One-off house built with views of Lagan Valley Regional Park.
Architect(s): McGonigle McGrath Architects
Contractor: Annvale Construction
