The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has invited members of the public to choose their favourite building completed last year, as part of the Irish Architecture Awards 2009.

John Graby, Director of the RIAI, said the awards give everybody an opportunity to choose what they believe should be awarded the title of the Public Choice of 2009.

The closing date for the public to vote will be this Sunday.

Mr Graby explained that the purpose of the awards is to highlight the importance of quality in the built environment and to ensure that quality is the rule rather than the exception in terms of Irish building.

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"The public vote will contribute to this process by allowing people to decide what they believe to be of real quality as well as what is visually pleasing within the surrounding natural and built environment."

The shortlist for the RIAI's 2009 Irish Architecture Awards contains buildings ranging from a refurbished church to a cinema, as well housing projects homes.

The RIAI Awards will be held on Monday (22 June), at The Cow Shed Theatre Farmleigh.

Environment Minister John Gormley will be present at the awards along with 200 guests.

The chair of the jury for this year’s awards is Greg Tisdall, James Howley, Des McMahon, Mark Turpin, Martin Henchion and Pat Ruane complete the Assessment Panel.

Voting can be carried out at www.irisharchitectureawards.ie/2009/

(PR/JM)