RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

This building marks the entrance to a 5,000-year-old Neolithic habitation. It houses interpretative exhibitions, audio-visual theatre and tea-room. A unique challenge was presented in sympathetically placing a building in this beautiful and sensitive environment.

The architect’s response was influenced by the traditional use of simple, strong form; familiar examples are the Martello towers and lighthouses on the coastline. The pyramid shape was selected, a unified peak growing out of the bog to form a natural extension of the landscape. The landscape and building join and are connected by the external steps.