The primary purpose of the RSUA Design Awards is to promote excellence in the design of our built environment with a view to making Northern Ireland a better place for everyone.
The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has awarded the Liam McCormick Prize for Northern Ireland’s Building of the Year to Áras Uí Chonghaile, the new James Connolly visitor centre on the Falls Road in Belfast.
The centre, designed for Fáilte Feirste Thiar (Visit West Belfast) by McGurk Architects, joins a list of the finest buildings in Northern Ireland to have won the prize which includes the Lyric Theatre and Giant’s Causeway visitor centre. The project was also awarded the RSUA Integration of Art Award for the portrait of James Connolly on the perforated-metal gable wall, central to the creation of this was Fergal Rainey who was named Project Architect of the Year.
Encourage architects to constantly strive to improve the quality of the built environment in Northern Ireland.
Showcase the positive impact of design excellence on society in Northern Ireland including its critical role in making NI a more attractive place for citizens, tourists, investors etc.
Reward architects, clients and all involved in the building process who aspire to, and succeed in, delivering excellence in design.
Demonstrate the talent of Northern Irish architects and provide a platform to showcase their successes beyond this region.
Highlight the breadth and depth of the impact of architecture on the lives of the people of Northern Ireland.
The Awards have been running since 1998 and they are recognised as the leading architecture awards in Northern Ireland. The gala evening is the premier event in the calendar for everyone involved in the design of the built environment.
Our partnership with RIBA means that RSUA Awards will double up as the RIBA Northern Ireland Awards. Winning an RSUA Award is the first step to being considered for a UK-wide RIBA Award.
Projects entered for the competition, regardless of project type or value, are considered for a headline RSUA Design Award.
Projects that win an RSUA Design Award are in the running to win the Liam McCormick Prize – Northern Ireland’s building of the year – and will be considered for a RIBA National Award. Judges may also give a range of discretionary awards.
