Sean O Casey Community Centre wins award!
The winning entries at the Irish Concrete Society's Awards, which took place recently, came from all over Ireland and ranged from private houses to community buildings to road, rail and harbour developments.
The Awards Evening has been running for 30 years and is a highlight in the construction industry's calendar. The Awards recognise excellence in both design and construction in concrete. The jury reviewed a total of thirty one projects entered in three categories. The jury were impressed by the quality and high standard of detail exhibited by all entries entered in three categories - Elemental, Building & Infrastructure. They also considered for suitable examples in the use of concrete in a sustainable context.
Winner - Elemental Category
Lake House, Co. Kerry was the Elemental Category Winner where the jury considered 9 entries. The winning scheme demonstrated an excellent understanding of the importance of attention to detail at all stages through design to construction. It is evident that Client, Designers and Contractor worked as a team. The aesthetic and structural qualities of the concrete remain exposed in the completed element and the result is a pleasant blend where old and new integrates seamlessly.
Winner - Building Category
Sean O'Casey Community Centre was the Building Category Winner where 13 entries were considered. The quality and variety of entry impressed the jury. The winning entry was chosen as it exudes simplicity and clarity of detail which is achieved using a minimal palette of materials - primary concrete. This building illustrates how simple ideas well resolved can make a strong statement of community spirit.
Overall Winner of the 2007 Irish Concrete Society Awards
The Overall Winner was in the Infrastructure Category where there were 9 entries. The jury considered that the winner demonstrates how in adverse conditions nature's raw materials can be excavated, reconstituted with the addition of cement to form concrete elements and reassembled in the same place in a way that absorbs the forces of nature and provides a welcome place of refuge and safety. With a commendation in the Sustainability Category, the overall winner of the Irish Concrete Society Wards 2008 is "Caladh Mor Sheltered Harbour Development, Inis Me?ain, Aran Island"
Project Team Details
Overall Award (Infrastructure) Award- Caladh Mor Sheltered Harbour Development
Client: Galway County Council
Engineer: RPS Consulting Engineers
Contractor: SIAC Construction
Major Supplier: Cairealacht Chill-Bhride Teo
Elemental Award - Lake House, Co. Kerry
Client: Private
Architect: Clancy Moore Architects
Engineer: Malachy Walsh & Partners
Contractor: S & T O'Shea Contractors
Major Supplier: John A Wood
Building Award - Sean O'Casey Community Centre
Client: Dublin Docklands Development Authority
Architect: O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects
Engineer: Casey O'Rourke Associates
Contractor: PJ Hegarty & Sons
Major Supplier: Roadstone
Sean De Courcy Student Award
The award is in honour of the late Sean De Courcy, Professor of Engineering at UCD, Chairman and Friend of the Irish Concrete Society, Author and Historian. The Sean de Courcy Award is given to an undergraduate for the best final year project relating to concrete. The winning project was entitled ‘Development of the flexible concrete arch system' and has been won by Ross Johnston of Queens University Belfast
The project was awarded on the basis of:
- This thesis has relevance in a developing area.
- It deals with an efficient and sustainable form of construction which in our view moves the subject area forward.
- It is practical in its application, the subject was well researched and the report continually made reference to the application of the research and testing involved.
- The report was well presented in a clear logical manner and was of very high quality.
This year, due to the very high quality of the submitted reports, the Jury decided to make a commendation in addition to the above award.
The Highly Recommended Project is:
"Formwork Striking Times of GGBS Concrete using Temperature Matched Curing" by Sean Griffin of DIT Bolton Street
European Concrete Award
An Irish Entry in the European Concrete Society's Network Awards Scheme received an "Honourable Mention" in the Building Category. The entry was The Sillogue Water Tower, which was a winner in the Society's Awards scheme in 2007. Presentations were made to representatives of the clients and contractor who attended the Awards Evening.
Client: Dublin City Council
Engineer: McCarthy Hyder Consultants
Architect: Michael Collins & Associates
Contractor: John Craddock Ltd
Major Supplier: Roadstone
For more information on the Sean O Casey Community Centre click here
For more information on these awards contact The Irish Concrete Society www.concrete.ie