RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

Northern - Over £200,000

The long awaited Belfast Waterfront Hall has finally opened to the sound of considerable architectural and public acclaim. It is a massive building and is consciously expressed as such. It dominates and enlivens the riverside, enticing the city into its orbit.

The dynamic nature of the interior is experienced from both inside and out. At night it takes on another dimension; it is a beacon, a focus; and a powerful symbol of urbanity.

Architects' Comments
Belfast Waterfront Hall is a major new facility for N.I. incorporating a flexible 2,250 seat international quality symphony hall and 500 seat studio clad in traditional Belfast materials of copper, Portland stone, brick and glass.

Client's Comment
The Waterfront Hall is important as a cultural, entertainment and business centre for the people of Belfast and the regeneration of the city. The architects provided a functional building which is also a significant addition to the city's civic architecture.