The winners of the 2026 RIAI Architecture Awards have been announced, demonstrating the quality being delivered by Registered Architects across Ireland and internationally.
This year’s Awards recognises 24 projects across 12 categories, showcasing the impact of architectural excellence on buildings and places central to our everyday lives.
The Old Rectory at the Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience received an award in the Adaptation and Re-Use category.
From restored heritage buildings and revitalised public spaces to innovative housing, schools and workplaces, the winning projects demonstrate architecture’s vital role in shaping the places and services that impact people every day.
In addition to the jury Awards, the RIAI Public Choice Award, where the Irish public vote for their favourite building or public space, was also revealed. The New Special Education Needs School in Letterkenny, was voted Ireland’s favourite building in 2026, topping a shortlist of 44 projects. The runners-up included: Project Connect, RCSI by Henry J Lyons (2nd Place), and Shackleton Experience by OBFA (3rd Place).
RIAI President, Fionnnuala May said: “The RIAI Awards showcase the ability of architecture to respond to some of the most important challenges facing society today. From delivering high-quality housing and creating more inclusive public spaces to supporting healthcare, education and sustainable development, this year’s winning projects demonstrate how good design can improve people’s lives in meaningful and lasting ways. Architects are working with the State and communities to deliver innovative public buildings and infrastructure that will support the needs of current and future generations.”
In the Adaptation and Re-Use category, Awards were given to Kilsaran Headquarters by ABK Architects; a Student Residence in a historic building at Fenian Street by Lawrence and Long Architects; and Squaring the Circle, a visitor centre for Inis Cealtra in Lough Derg, Co. Clare by McCullough Mulvin Architects. Blackrock Park Teahouse, restored by 7L Architects, won one of two Conservation Awards, the other going to the historic Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park by the Office of Public Works.
In Public Buildings, the jury recognised diverse projects that positively impact society, a medical centre, a library and community space and two third-level educational projects, with Awards going to: Barretstown Medical Centre by McCauley Daye O’Connell Architects; East Meath Civic Centre by Robin Lee Architecture; Project Connect, RCSI by Henry J Lyons; and University of Limerick Student Centre by Cotter & Naessens Architects. The International Award went to Ireland House Tokyo by Henry J Lyons, which is the realised design of an international architectural design competition by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the RIAI.
In the Living category, the jury recognised different types of homes, including House Adaptions, with Awards going to Greenville Terrace by Rachel Carmody Design and Pembroke Cottages by REIR Studio, while the Award for a New Build Home went to O-House by Lawrence and Long Architects
The winning Housing projects were Bóithrín na Saoirse, a collaboration with CENA Culturally Appropriate Homes and Galway County Council by desiun Architects; Glin Court, an age-friendly redevelopment by Paul Keogh Architects; and the Shanganagh Castle Estate neighbourhood by ABK Architects.
The Workplace and Fit-Out Award went to the adaptation of Earlsfort Terrace by Lawrence and Long Architects and the Leeson Lane Office Building by the Office of Public Works.
The importance of well-designed public spaces was highlighted by the Award for Urban Design, which went to Google Bolands Mills Public Realm by Henry J Lyons and Gustafson Porter + Bowman. Google Bolands Mills Public Realm also won a Universal Design Award, which is supported by the Centre for Excellence for Universal Design at the National Disability Authority. A second Universal Design Award was given to the New Special Educational Needs School, Letterkenny. Sustainability in Architecture was recognised with an award to Vantage Business Park by Gottstein Architects.
In addition to built work, the RIAI Awards also recognises the importance of Research and the benefits it can bring to our communities by driving innovation and engagement. The Jury recognised two Research projects with Awards to Computational Conservation: ‘Bridging the Domain Gap in Historic Building Data’, by David Hughes FRIAI; and ‘Vacant to Viable (Part 1) – Barriers of the Building Regulations to Existing Building Reuse’, by Triona Stack MRIAI, UCD School of Architecture Planning and Environmental Policy, with Dr Philip Crowe and the Irish Green Building Council.
This year, the jury also presented two Client awards to client bodies who have shown particular leadership in delivering quality outcomes for their end-users with their architects: The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) for Project Connect, designed by Henry J Lyons, with the second Client Award going to Dwyer Nolan and The Iveagh Trust for Stonemount Park, designed by DSA.