A new medical education building in Dublin has been named Ireland's favourite building at the Irish Architecture Awards 2018.

The €80 million campus for the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland was awarded the Public Choice prize.

The No. 26 York Street site beat off competition from 32 other projects, receiving 22% of the 10,000 plus votes cast.

It was designed by Henry K Lyons and incorporates four basement levels to negotiate planning height restrictions in Dublin's historic city centre. The facility includes technically advanced simulated environments for clinical and surgical training, a new library, auditorium and sports facility.

David Browne, RIAI President, said: "The winning project demonstrates the importance of investing in our educational sector and architects' ability to deliver outstanding buildings in complex urban settings. This is the 10th year that members of the public have had an opportunity to vote on their favourite architectural project and the high number of votes cast demonstrates how passionate we as a nation are about the environments in which we live, work and relax. The shortlist was made up of exceptional projects including residential homes, commercial spaces, schools, healthcare facilities, heritage locations and public spaces and it's encouraging that Irish people recognise the value that Irish architects add to all aspects of the built environment, supporting Ireland's educational, economic and social infrastructure."

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In second place was Scoil Phádraig, a primary school in Westport, Mayo, designed by SJK Architects.

Third prize went to One Microsoft Place, the tech giant's Dublin campus in Leopardstown, designed by RKD Architects. 

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) awards celebrate the quality of current work by RIAI Members at home and abroad and create awareness of the important role that architecture plays in delivering Ireland's societal and economic infrastructure.

(CM/LM)