O’Connell Concrete, Banagher Precast, Kilsaran and Techrete were all among the winners at the Irish Concrete Society’s awards evening, which took place on March 19^th in the Johnstown Estate Hotel, Enfield. These prestigious awards celebrate excellence in concrete design and construction and was attended by almost 300 people from across the Irish construction sector.

Speaking at the awards evening Chair of the Society, Mark Coatsworth stated that the award entries demonstrated the highest standards of design, engineering and craftsmanship and reflected the continued strength and capability of our industry.

Overall Winner: University of Limerick Students’ Centre

Project Client: University of Limerick
Major Supplier: O’Connell Quarries

Jury Quote:

“The University of Limerick Students’ Centre is an outstanding example of how concrete can be used to shape both architecture and experience. Located at the heart of the campus, the building creates a true social focus for student life, providing generous spaces for gathering, performance and exchange. Formed as an in situ reinforced concrete structure. This piece of civic infrastructure is rigorously organised on a 2.7 metre grid that informs structure, circulation and finishes. The project combines sustainability with refined architectural expression. The exposed concrete frame, top lit public spaces and carefully crafted internal finishes demonstrate exceptional quality and precision, while the building’s thermal mass plays a key role in its environmental performance. Concrete is expressed throughout the project in a number of forms including high-quality impression referencing the River Shannon internally, external pre-cast, and mother of pearl terrazzo floors. The architectural concrete used an ambitious mix with a high proportion of GGBS that ultimately matured to a refined, mellow finish. The slab design with concrete soffits, hidden services and upstand beams throughout the building, demonstrates a close integration of architecture, structure and services. The project delivers a calm, durable and welcoming environment that will serve generations of students. The jury commends the design and construction team for creating a distinctive campus landmark and a deserving winner that showcases the very best of concrete innovation.”

Building Category Highly Commended: Project Connect, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland

Project Client: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Major Supplier: Kilsaran

Jury Quote:

“A landmark new frontage to St. Stephen’s Green, this project impressed the judges with its technical achievements including pre-cambering slabs to offer 16m spans, transfers at multiple levels, excellence in board marking and the sheer level of coordination required in the context. It demonstrates a cohesive vision and effort between the Design Team & Contractors.’

 Infrastructure Category Winner: Brian Boru Bridge

Project Client: Clare County Council / Department of Transport / Tipperary County Council
Major Suppliers: Banagher Precast Concrete / O’Connell Quarries

Jury Quote:

“This outstanding project exemplifies excellence in concrete engineering, build complexity, innovation and collaboration. Delivered ahead of programme within a highly sensitive environmental setting. The Project is distinguished by its refined architectural expression and structurally showcases the versatility and performance of concrete through an exceptional combination of bespoke precast and in-situ solutions. Innovative precast pile cap caissons, specialist underwater concreting, and sculpted in-situ piers with integrated viewing balconies were delivered with superior precision, while overcoming the practical challenges of constructing in a marine setting and area of conservation. The bridge piers are particularly noteworthy due to their complex geometry, incorporating curved forms, cast-in structural steel nodes, and cantilevered viewing balconies, required a hybrid approach to formwork and meticulous attention to detail. The inclusion of ten cantilevered viewing balconies transforms the bridge from a purely functional asset into a civic landmark, encouraging public engagement with the river and surrounding landscape. The Brian Boru Bridge is a worthy winner and the jury commends the project team for delivering a technically challenging, visually striking and environmentally responsible piece of infrastructure that creates a landmark crossing of the River Shannon and represents the very best of concrete innovation in modern civil engineering.”

Element Category Winner: The Carriage Works Façade, Castleforbes

Project Client: Eagle Street
Major Supplier: Techrete

Jury Quote:

“This project stands as a masterclass in the aesthetic potential of precast concrete distinguished by its flawless execution and material precision. The building is defined by an exceptional quality of finish and well-defined lines that lends the structure a sophisticated contemporary silhouette. Most striking is the bold use of terracotta coloured cladding which achieves a high level of consistency in terms of geometry and colour and transforms the facade into an impactful architectural statement, seamlessly blending industrial durability with a warm masonry inspired ambience. The project is commended for its low carbon credentials involving the use of supplementary cementitious materials which resulted in substantial reductions in embodied carbon without compromising architectural quality or structural performance.”

International Award: Techrete for Stoke Goods Yard

Sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, this award recognises Irish companies who export product or services off the island of Ireland. The Award reflects the continued emphasis on export for Irish construction.

Project Client: Capital & Centric, Manchester, UK
Irish Export Company: Techrete

Jury Quote:

“Stoke Goods Yard is an exceptional achievement in concrete construction, exemplifying Techrete’s unwavering commitment to pushing the limits of sustainability in the built environment. The jury was particularly impressed by the project’s ambitious low-carbon mix design, delivered without compromise to the complexity, precision, or architectural quality of the finished façade. The innovative design of the double terracing units overcame multiple technical challenges to have wide ranging positive effects on program, budget and most importantly a significantly positive effect on the sustainable design approach of the project.’