Leading Irish firm Wilson Architecture has claimed a major prize at the world-renowned International Architecture Awards.

Hosted by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, the world's first and oldest annual global design awards recognise the most significant and inspirational building and urban planning projects around the world.

This year, from a shortlist of over 450 submissions, Wilson Architecture was the only Irish winner, claiming the 'Corporate Office Buildings' award for its work on JCD Group's Penrose Dock Office Scheme in Cork City.

The winning projects were honoured at a special awards ceremony and Gala Dinner held at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece on 09 September, which was attended by Wilson Architecture.

Christian Narkiewicz-Laine, President/ CEO of The Chicago Athenaeum said: "This year's winning projects show remarkable sensitivity to their surroundings and local cultures, inclusive design, and sustainable solutions. Sustainability, restoration and renovation, and eco-friendly design were paramount to this year's selection."

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The Wilson Architecture designed €125million Penrose Dock development has a form which is based on classical proportions and which uses pilasters, spandrel beams and glazed panels to achieve a timeless elegance in the façade composition, with the adjacent listed Cork Steam Packet Building providing the inspiration for this design approach. The development embraces its historical urban quayside setting and features a considered design that not only contributes to the architectural quality of its immediate built environment, but also to the wider city centre experience.

The 250,000 sq ft project comprises two separate blocks, Penrose One and Penrose Two, seven and 10 storey high respectively, along with the refurbishment of Penrose House, an existing protected limestone faced structure on the site. Wilson Architecture was appointed to provide a full range of Architectural Services based on the RIAI Standard Scope of Services from conception to completion for the office complex. Their scope also included the Interior Design of the public areas and bespoke office fit-outs. 

Commenting on the significant award win, Frank O'Mahony of Wilson Architecture and Lead Architect on Penrose Dock said: "It is an honour to be recognised at the The International Architecture Awards, an aspiration of architects the world over. Our winning design embraces the historical and urban setting which includes the original Penrose House, and from which we drew our concept for the classically proportioned facades of the new buildings; and it is wonderful to see this acknowledged on a global scale."

Acknowledging Wilson Architecture's win, John Cleary, CEO of JCD Group added: "We congratulate Frank O'Mahony and the whole team at Wilson Architecture for being announced as a winner at these prestigious international awards. It is a great endorsement of the Penrose Dock development which is now 100% occupied."