The two awards, Best Cultural Building and Best Public Building were in recognition of their work on the iconic dlr Lexicon, which is a central library and cultural centre situated on the waterfront in Dun Laoghaire.
The €29.5m, 6.327m2 building was officially opened this year in April and since it’s opening has proven to be extremely popular, recording visitor numbers of over 10,000 per week. The innovative design of the building leads itself to the extended role of the library as the hub for a wide range of community, educational and cultural events. One of the lead architects on the project and co-founder of CCN Architects Louise Cotter stated: "Our challenge was to deliver this public space in a way that would make new routes and visual connections between the town and harbour. We are so thrilled that the vision of transforming the heart of Dun Laoghaire town, has been recognised in this way and it is testimony to the vision of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, as well as other members of the design team who are all Cork companies, including Hogan Lynch, Deasy Walley Partnership and Arup’s Cork office."
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Louise added: "The project was a perfect partnership of public and private organisations, working together as a team to create something that is now being recognised internationally as best in class for design and construction."
As well as the RIAI Awards, CCN Architects have this week been awarded the Overall Excellence Award and the Sustainability Award in the 2015 Schueco Excellence Awards which is run in association with RIBA Journal. The international panel of judges, described the project as "beautifully made, beautifully crafted building that looks like it’ll be here for a long time. An excellent piece of architecture".
The dlr Lexicon has to date also received the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) Award for Best Public Building and Grand Prix Awards as well as the Irish Building and Design Architectural Project of the Year 2015 Award.
Louise stated: "Our team are delighted with this win and it's testimony to the hard work and the vision of so many people. Although our portfolio of projects takes us to every corner of Ireland, working on a wide range of public as well as private projects, we are so proud to be bringing these awards home, showcasing the world class talent we have working in the industry right on our doorstep here in Cork."
Carr Cotter Naessens' work is informed by research through design, including participation in competitions and studies. The practice is also an accredited teaching practice at the school of Architecture, CCAE.
www.ccnarchitects.net
