Cork graduate centre stage at international architecture expo

The marks the final of a series of events oragnised by the RIAI at the Printworks Event and Exhibition Centre, Dublin Castle.

Laura was one of only four winners from across the EU in the prestigious EUmies Young Talent Awards, which form part of the European Union Architecture Prizes. 

The European Union/Mies van der Rohe Awards (EUmies Young Talent awards) recognise excellence final diploma works by recently graduated architects and Laura was presented with the accolade for her project on Inishbofin.

She will be joined at Contemporary + Beyond by Cristina Gamboa, Lacol Architects from Barcelona, who co-operative housing project was the winner of the Emerging EUmies Award; Dr Alice Casey MRIAI, TAKA Architects; Professor Igea Troiani, London South Bank University and chair of Women in Architecture UK and RIAI president Sean Mahon FRIAI.

Tickets are available on [url=https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/eumies-awards-talk-series-contemporary-beyond-tickets-808823281207

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The event also draws to a close a month-long exhibition celebrating Europe’s most exciting buildings.

The RIAI opened the compelling exhibition of Europe’s best buildings at the Printworks on January 16.

The exhibition includes models, texts, videos, sketches and drawings of the 40 short-listed works and a summary of all 532 nominees for the prize from across Europe.

"The EUmies Award is the European Union prize for architecture and the highest honour for a building in Europe. It was awarded in 2022 for the first time to an Irish practice, Grafton Architects, for Town House, Kingston," says Dr Sandra O'Connell, RIAI. 

"This edition of the EUmies Award also includes 15 Irish projects among the nominees. The award promotes quality and reflects the complexity of architecture’s significance in terms of social, cultural, technological and economic, and aesthetic achievements."

The RIAI has presented the exhibition in Ireland to engage public and professional audiences with Irish and European architecture, the New European Bauhaus and the positive impact architecture can have on the challenges we are facing — from climate change to affordable housing and liveable cities. 

“The RIAI has brought this fantastic exhibition to Ireland not only to celebrate the first-ever Irish prize winner, Grafton Architects, but to showcase innovative architectural solutions to the challenges we are facing in our built environment — from affordable housing to making liveable cities,” adds Dr O’Connell.

“The architectural ideas are presented in a highly engaging way through models, images and films and will not only resonate with those in the industry but will appeal to the wider public also.” 

Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, Grafton Architects, were at the opening attended by over 400 architects and their built environment colleagues, students of architects and members of the public.