A search has begun to find architect and design practices to take forward two community engagement projects on the west coast.

Two open calls have been issued by the Irish Architecture Foundation for the projects in Loughrea, Co Galway and Letterkenny, Co Donegal, worth €45,000 in total.

In Loughrea, the IFA is commissioning an architectural or designed intervention for The Walks, for Spring 2020. It is being developed in collaboration with Galway County Council Architectural Conservation Office and the Loughrea The Walks Project Steering Group. The deadline for applications is Friday 13 December.

The Letterkenny project will see an architect or design practice work collaboratively with groups from Letterkenny in order to develop a public outcome and installation to draw greater attention and increased use along the town's pedestrian walkway in 2020. The deadline for applications is Friday 10 January 2020.

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Both projects form part of the IAF and Creative Ireland's 'Reimagine' project, which brings together local communities, architects, designers and planners to develop projects which will enhance the local built environment of each of the towns.

Speaking at the announcement, Nathalie Weadick, Director of the IAF, said: "The aim of Reimagine is to enable local residents to bring about positive change to their local areas through collaborative engagement with professionals in architecture, planning, and design.

"Earlier this year we chose six towns throughout Ireland to participate in the project, and we're delighted to be progressing the Galway and Donegal projects. This is a unique opportunity for an architecture practice to collaborate with a local community and display their ambition and creative mettle on projects that are going to have a lasting impact on the towns civic spaces."

The Reimagine project is supported by the Creative Ireland Programmes National Creativity Fund.

(CM/JG)