The public have voted the UCD Student Centre as the winner of the Public Choice Award in the 2013 Irish Architecture Awards.

The building, designed by Dublin based Fitzgerald Kavanagh & Partners, received 18% of the 12,500 votes cast for the 33 short listed projects.

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) described the centre as "an exciting building which embraces many of the guiding principles of universal design".

UCD's new 10-lane 50-meter Olympic standard pool includes adjustable floors to alter the depth and a dividing wall to enable split usage.

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According to the RIAI, the use of colour, choice of materials and the simplicity of its layout contribute greatly to its ease of use. The result is a dynamic building devoted to providing sports and recreational facilities to the students and staff of UCD as well as to members of the public, regardless of age, size, ability or disability.

Now in its sixth year, the Public Choice Award gives the public the opportunity to have their say by voting for their favourite shortlisted project, which has the honour of being named Ireland's favourite new building.

The award recognises the vision of the students and staff of UCD, and the architectural design skills of Fitzgerald Kavanagh & Partners. It was presented by the Minister for Education and Skills, Mr Ruairí Quinn TD at a formal ceremony in Wood Quay.

The 11,000 sq metre building, which was developed with student funds following a student referendum in 2006, marks another major milestone in the evolution of the Belfield campus.

(CD/JP)