A capacity attendance of leading construction, architecture, engineering and representatives were present in the Minerva Suite, RDS, Dublin, recently for the presentation of the inaugural Towards NetZero Ireland awards.
The Towards NetZero Ireland Awards were devised to help drive the netzero concept and to acknowledge and support those showing leadership in the netzero arena during this transitionary stage. The scale of the net zero challenge is undeniably daunting, but the number and quality of the submissions entered for the awards demonstrate that the construction sector in Ireland is 100% committed to the net-zero objective. It also confirmed that all disciplines within the sector, be it architecture, building services engineering and actual construction, are fully aware of the role they each have to play and of the need for them to work together to achieve net zero status. All the winning entries demonstrated this holistic approach.
Towards NetZero Ireland categories
There were six categories in all –
- Retrofit
- Commercial Building
- Public Building
- Design Practice
- Housing
- Net-Zero Champion
Award winners
Commercial Building
The Commercial Building category recognises projects that provide high-quality workplace environments while pursuing net-zero strategies that ensure a reduction in energy use and carbon emissions, thereby impacting the effects of our everyday work practices.
Award Winner: SB Offices, Commercial Block, BDP
Highly commended: Wren Urban Nest Hotel, BDP
Commended: Gas Networks Ireland Services Centre, Denis Byrne Architects
Award Sponsor: Soprema
Public Building
The Public Building category recognises projects commissioned by public or semi-public bodies and agencies that demonstrate a civic function and are accessible to all.
Award Winner: Donegal Town Garda Station, Rhatigan Architects
Award Sponsor: Reynaers Aluminium
Design Practice
The Design Practice category recognises the design team that pushes the principles of sustainable design throughout their work, whether in pursuing new research, exploring contemporary innovations, or leading in best practice.
Award Winner: Donegal Town Garda Station Rhatigan Architects
Award Sponsor: Forbo Flooring Systems
Retrofit of a Building
The Retrofit of a Building category recognises projects which bring underutilised existing building stock back into contemporary use, achieving a more sustainable built environment through the re-use of extant properties and significantly improving their energy performance.
Award Winner: The Willows, Peter Nickels Architects
Highly commended: Dockline (New Century House refurb, IFSC), Axiseng
Award Sponsor: Ecological Building Systems
Net-Zero Champion
The Net-Zero Champion category recognises an individual member of a design or contracting team who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and understanding in the application of net-zero strategies, either with regard to a particular project or across their work as a whole.
Net Zero Champion 2022: Tomás O’Leary, MosArt
Highly commended: Jason Smith, Lawler Sustainability
Award Sponsor: Kingspan
Housing Development
The Housing Development category recognises multi-unit residential projects that aim to reimagine the sustainable credentials of the typical Irish suburban housing estate or apartment scheme – a type of development often associated with promoting carbon-intensive lifestyles but which also holds a significant capacity for change and innovation.
Award Winner: Highfield Park, DTA Architects
Highly commended: Kilbride Court, COADY Architects
Commended: Jameson Heights, ClearyDoyle
Award Sponsor: Irish Construction News/ Constructionnws.ie
Towards Net Zero Awards Judging Panel
The judging panel for the Towards NetZero Ireland Awards 2022 were
- Paul Martin, Programme Manager for Technical Standards Development, SEAI and former Chairman of CIBSE Ireland.
- Michael Curran, CIBSE Ireland Chairman and Head of Building Services, Energy and Utilities at NUI Galway.
- Mona Duff, Senior Manager, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).
- John Macken, Associate Director, O’Mahony Pike Architects
Sponsors
Organised by Acclaim Events Ltd, there was strong industry support. Category sponsors included Ecological Building Systems, Forbo, Kingspan Panels, Reynaers Aluminium and Soprema, while media sponsors were Irish Construction News, Architecture Ireland and Building Services Engineering.