Architecture Awards 2021

38 BUILD 2021 Architecture Awards May21087 Best Domestic Refurbishments & Extensions Practice - County Galway If anything has been learned over the last year and a half, it is that the built surroundings in which we live and move each and every day have an enormous impact on our quality of life. ORA Architects specialises in the entire design process of interiors from initial enquiries through to final signoff. We take a look at how their comprehensive approach has seen them recognised in this year’s BUILD Architecture Awards. odern architecture strives to create spaces that embrace light and carefully consider the boundaries between inside and outside. It allows buildings to be personalised to an individual’s lifestyle to create functionality and adaptability over time. The team at ORA Architects specialise in design services that bring these about while adhering to the precise and individual needs of their clients. Each project is entirely unique, with an individual approach that must be seen to be believed. The team’s focus is on the creation of projects that work in harmony with all other aspects of a project, meaning that it is a natural fit with the environment, aesthetically stimulating and reflects the personalities at play within the project. This means working closely with a client to achieve a solution that not only meets their specific needs, but goes above and beyond their wildest expectations. One of the most recent projects that the team has been involved with has revolved around the complete refurbishment and extension of a semi-detached Victorian dwelling in a city centre location. It stood empty for a number of years before being purchased by the current owners. The tight site, age of the building and proximity to the ground water table made this project a welcome challenge to the ORA Architects team. Working closely with the main contractor, Duane Construction, and the engineers at Gabor Molnar Engineering, the team were able to bring light into the centre of the dwelling through many features including an internal light shaft. The stepped roofs of the extension, with its characteristically high level windows, add light in unexpected areas which filters through the house through stained and baroque glass. Custom made built-in furniture by Handbuilt designs and stained glass by local suppliers Aria stained glass in combination with very personal pieces create a unique contemporary home which feels homely and inviting once you step in through the front door. This collaborative approach has created a truly stunning property that reflects the best of what the ORA Architects team can provide to their clients. The interior design evolved through close collaboration with the M owners and every single tradesperson working on the project, and this thread runs through every project the team has ever undertaken. It’s not enough to offer a solution – ORA Architects is committed to finding a way forward meets the specific needs of the moment. In a world where construction costs are constantly rising and energy upgrades are a major factor in the team’s work, this care and attention is invaluable. By carefully balancing the needs of the customer, the team have been able to ensure that even the smallest project uses every bit of space to its advantage. Architecture has an incredible capacity to create spaces that are well-proportioned, multi-functional and leave room for an individual’s lifestyle. The future for this impressive team seems bright indeed, with the need for upgrades to property becoming increasingly obvious by the day. The focus of ORA Architects on the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces has never been clearer. We celebrate the firm’s tremendous success and look forward to seeing what stunning creations they come up with next. Company: ORA Architects Name: Olga Revollo Email: [email protected] Web Address: http://oraarchitecture.com/ Photography: Anita Murphy