A new short documentary film commissioned by construction firm Gilbert-Ash has made its Belfast debut at the Queen's Film Theatre (QFT). Titled Building Culture, the film explores five landmark projects that have been shortlisted for the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects' (RIBA) Stirling Prize.

The featured buildings include two prominent Northern Ireland sites: the Lyric Theatre and the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre. The documentary also spotlights the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool—the 2014 Stirling Prize winner—alongside the Cambridge Central Mosque and the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The core theme of the film is the intensive collaboration essential to transforming ambitious architectural visions into functional spaces that benefit both users and their wider communities. Following the screening, a Q&A session was held with key figures from the film, chaired by arts journalist Marie-Louise Kerr. The panel featured Ray Hutchinson, Managing Director of Gilbert-Ash; Morag Keating, Senior Producer at the Lyric Theatre; and Graham Thompson, former Project Director of the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre.

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Ray Hutchinson noted that a shared spirit of cooperation was the defining characteristic of the five celebrated projects. He commented: "These five projects are among the best work we have delivered at Gilbert-Ash. We have been privileged to work with some of the UK's leading organisations and architects to bring them to life. Our teams were challenged by each design, pushing the boundaries of what could be built. Through partnership and collaboration, we worked as one to deliver outstanding buildings for our clients. We were delighted to welcome guests from across the design and construction industry to this celebration of collaboration and excellence, as we watched our work on the big screen at QFT."

Highlighting the company's local roots and broader portfolio, he added: "As a company we enjoy great success working in other parts of the UK, Ireland and around the world, but Northern Ireland is home. In addition to the two projects in the film, we have a rich portfolio of work here. This includes the iconic Waterfront Hall, the five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel, the AC Hotel by Marriott, as well as the refurbishment of the Grand Opera House. More recently we completed the fit out of PwC's stunning new headquarters at Merchant Square in Belfast."

Gilbert-Ash is currently extending its portfolio with high-profile projects such as the redevelopment of Tate Liverpool and the refurbishment of RIBA's Grade II listed headquarters in London. The company operates with a focus on innovation and sustainability, implementing various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. Further information can be found at www.gilbert-ash.com.