02/09/2004
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Mayor Robert Dowds will officially open the 2004 Architects Association of Ireland Awards, on Thursday 2nd September at 5.00pm, at the Civic Theatre, Tallaght.
South Dublin County Council are delighted this year to accommodate part of this extensive display in County Hall where it can be seen for the next four weeks. In 2004, the five assessors were Aaron Betsky (the Netherlands)., Eddie Conroy, Antoinette O’Neill, Paul Robbrecht (Belguim) and Marion Finucane (broadcaster). One of the members of the awards assessment panel is Eddie Conroy, a senior architect with South Dublin County Council. Eddie, himself received an award for the design of this theatre and gallery.
The Council’s involvement in this exhibition has come about through the Arts Office. Architecture is recognised as an art form, and this is promoted by South Dublin County Council which introduced architecture, last year, as a category in its bursary awards to artists.
As a local authority we are also aware of the societal concerns of
architecture and recognise the relationship between architecture and its
physical, economic and social context. Through architecture we understand
our physical world and our understanding of how we can shape it so as to
create a liberal, inclusive and modern society.
Amongst the assessment panel it was noted that the more remarkable
submissions were schools, university buildings, libraries and sports
facilities which shows an Ireland that is interested in the dynamic of
allowing space for growth.
Architecture takes time to develop. Partly because the building process
is slow and because it is part of everyday life, innovation can be difficult
to see in architecture. This exhibition which promotes excellence in
architectural design, identifies innovation.
South Dublin County which itself is undergoing significant and rapid
change to the natural and built environments, is delighted to present this exhibition in association with Alternative Entertainments and the Architects Association of Ireland and to recognise the visionary role of architecture
in Irish life.
Issued on behalf of the Council by Head of Corporate Services Benny Hickey
Tel 4149000 Ext: 5008