A two-year civil building project in Co Westmeath has scooped a top architectural award.

The county council facility, in Mullingar, was opened on 11 June, having incorporated several sustainable systems into its design.

Last week the scheme picked-up the 2009 OPUS Architectural and Construction Award for the category of buildings over €20m.

The OPUS Award, now in its tenth year, was unveiled at the Plan Expo in Dublin.

Competition organisers, Plan Expo, said the OPUS awards were devised to reflect and reinforce the symbiotic relationship between design and construction.

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Accolades are presented on "a holistic approach devised to promote architectural design and build quality that rises above pure utility to combine all that is practical and necessary within a building that is meaningful, humane and beautiful".

It also acknowledges excellence in combining construction management and teamwork with "workmanship, ingenuity, creativity and performance against programme".

Discussing the Westmeath scheme, the judging panel said: "Drawings and photos submitted for this building did not do it justice.

"A site visit revealed a set of new and historic buildings interacting in an ingenious manner. The timber and glass atrium roof straddles various buildings, linking old and new in an engaging manner.

"The new complex is innovative, sustainable, modern and respectful of its historic setting. A credit to all involved."

(PR/BMcC)