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A new state-of-the-art transport hub in west Belfast has been named Northern Ireland's Building of the Year at the 2019 RSUA Design Awards.
The Colin Connect Transport Hub and Civic Square follows in the footsteps of the Lyric Theatre Belfast, St Bronagh's Primary School in Rostrevor and the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre to claim the Liam McCormick Prize.
Designed by Hall McKnight, the hub provides facilities for the local community as well as the infrastructure to facilitate the much-anticipated Belfast Rapid Transport (BRT) system. It also features an interface between the existing Metro feeder services alongside the new BRT system to improve links to the City Centre while ensuring the surrounding community is highly accessible by bus.
The project was also recognised with the RSUA Living Places Award for its demonstration of the qualities set out in the Living Places planning guidance, while Hall McKnight employee Richard Dougherty claimed Project Architect of the Year for his work on the hub.
The prize for Northern Ireland's House of the Year went to McGonigle McGrath for their House at Lessans, just outside Saintfield.
McGurk Architects and ARdMackel won an award for Raidió Fáilte – Lionra Uladh, a new facility for the radio station which serves the Gaelic speaking community across Ulster. The building which includes a café, exhibition space and garden brings 'front door' activity back to Divis Street in Belfast. Raidió Fáilte also won the Client of the Year for their enthusiasm and energy.
The final award went to Grimshaw Architects for Belfast City Quays 2. It is the second speculative commercial office building by Belfast Harbour Commissioners as part of a wider development of Belfast Harbour around Clarendon docks. The £15m building provides eight stories of flexible workspace and, due to its excellent energy performance and local sourcing, it also picked up the Sustainability Award.
Each of the winners will now compete for a UK-wide RIBA award for architecture.
The RSUA Design Awards ceremony took place at the Ulster Museum in Belfast.
(CM/JG)
