Architecture Awards 2021

62 BUILD 2021 Architecture Awards May21690 BUILD Excellence Award in Contemporary Architecture Design - Republic of Ireland GWA Architects may be new to the residential and commercial architecture scene of Dublin, Ireland, but this budding young practice has well and truly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. We caught up with Founder and Director Geoffrey Whelan who tells us more about the firm. new and fast-growing architectural practice of Dublin, GWA Architects is a RIAI (The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) registered firm that has become well-renowned for being adaptive, creative and reliable as it delivers contemporary and conservation architecture and produces outstanding buildings and spaces. In 2018, the practice was established by Director and Principal Architect Geoffrey Whelan, who boasts more than sixteen years working in both the commercial and residential architectural industry. His expertise lies in Bespoke Residential, Apartments, Leisure, Education, Museum and Hotel & Bar design, and he has a keen interest in the restoration and preservation of heritage sites. He is supported by Jaime Martin Rivera, a Project Architect at GWA Architects who has spent more than a decade developing his skills in commercial and residential architecture. Together, Geoffrey and Jaime are an experienced team crafting a diverse portfolio of projects that include commercial, public and educational buildings as well as bespoke private residences, extensions and refurbishments across Ireland. Specialists in both new contemporary architecture and the intervention of existing buildings, GWA Architects has been built upon clear principles of Adaptivity, Creativity and Reliability; a passion for detail in design; and of conservation and sustainability. The firm is committed to understanding the briefs’ of its clients and generating a clear vision for each project, before delivering that project on time and to the highest possible quality. As a result, GWA Architects is commended time and time again for its strength and its motivation as a growing and innovative team that is communicative and meticulous. “We listen, we design, and we interpret our clients brief into reality to suit their specific requests and requirements,” Geoffrey tells us. Three simple steps that ensure significant success in every project. One of GWA Architects’ recent projects exemplified all of the values and strengths of the firm’s process. A renovation and extension of a 19th century Period House in Portobello, A Dublin, the project brief centred on opening the property up to its full potential of space, light and adaptability. The project was extensive, involving the lowering of the ground floor level to allow for an additional level and floor level, complete with mezzanine, to be integrated into the house. Every square centimetre of space has been taken advantage of, with a glazed gallery that links the new garden room at the rear of the property to the main house and the three spaces on the lower level – the courtyard, gallery and kitchen dining space – being seamlessly merged into the same air-space. The team used a palette of similar materials to emphasise the connectivity of inside and out in a modern style, which harmoniously juxtaposed the period features and traditional Portobello Brick Patterns that were retained in the rest of the house. The result is a modern and liveable home that has all the beauty and character of a period property. The courtyard now floods the rear of the house with daylight, northlight throughout the day followed by west evening sunset into the recessed gallery seating area, answering the client’s demand for an accessible open space and an abundance of natural light. The GWA Architects portfolio continues to grow at an impressive rate, with the team’s services being called upon by property owners throughout Ireland. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, people are recognising that the way we work and live is changing forever and are consequently adapting their homes to suit post- pandemic life. From making full use of courtyards and outdoor spaces as social areas to investing in their home offices, clients are relying on the team at GWA Architects now more than ever to ensure their homes can fulfil every role they need it to. As such, the future looks bright for GWA Architects as it aims to continue growing its portfolio and similarly expand its motivated team in this exciting growth phase. It is not only the promising projects that are currently in the works that have Geoffrey and his team feeling optimistic about the future, but its success at the BUILD Architecture Awards 2021 too. Geoffrey concludes, “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the BUILD Architecture Awards for this great opportunity and award.” Contact: Geoffrey Whelan MRIAI Company: Geoffrey Whelan Architects Web Address: www.gwa.works