Four Northern Ireland buildings win architecture awards

Friday 18th April 2014

Four Northern Ireland buildings have won awards for architectural excellence.

The Guildhall in Londonderry is one of the winners, and judges said it was "a masterclass in conservation practice".

The other winners are a police memorial garden in Belfast, a barn conversion in Broughshane, County Antrim, and two west Belfast terrace houses renovated by cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The awards were made by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Restoration work on the historic Guildhall began in 2010 and was completed in April 2013 at a cost of £7.4m.

Work included the replacement of cathedral glass windows, cleaning and repairing stonework, and resolving structural safety issues.

The judges said: "Restored and rejuvenated, it has been reclaimed for generations to come and can be fully appreciated from the Peace Bridge, which sets it dramatically in scene."

Loughloughan Barn in Broughshane was built from rough-cut and locally sourced stone and was commended for its "simple and carefully detailed contemporary design".

The judges added: "The living spaces flow effortlessly and provide a calm retreat from which to enjoy the real drama of this house - the ever-changing colours of the landscape below and skies above."

CLIC Sargent's "Home from Home" project offers families of young cancer patients at the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children a chance to stay in a comfortable domestic environment close to the hospital.

The site is on the Falls Road, directly opposite the hospital, and contains four large en-suite bedrooms along with shared living, kitchen and dining space.

Source BBC News: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27054834