RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

Northern, Over £1,000,000

The architects are to be commended for the manner in which they have carried out a very understated reordering of the building to suit today's democratic parliamentary process in a changing Ireland. They have also respected the design concepts and detail of the original architect through careful and, at times, difficult research. Where improvements have been introduced to the building, they have been introduced in such a way as to harmonise with the original design concept.

Architects' Description
This is the first major, comprehensive refurbishment of this most important building since it opened in 1931. The work included the restoration of the Commons Chamber, which was destroyed by fire in January 1995. The galleries to the chamber were extended to provide the potential for public access to the process of government.

Client's Comment
Parliament Buildings is recognised in Northern Ireland and beyond as one of our great architectural set pieces. Its elegant features and grand setting, together with some fine interior apartments, places upon us all a duty of care for the benefit of this and future generations.

Planning for the general refurbishment - needed after almost sixty years of use - commenced in 1985. As the project developed, it was evident that significant structural restoration and modernisation would also be necessary. The tragic fire of the second january 1995, which totally destroyed tthe former Commons Chamber, brought additional challenges for the team, not only to ensure accuracy in the restoration when virtually no records existed, but also to develop the necessary structural changes in a manner in keeping with Sir Arnold Thornely's interpretation of the Greek classical style.