Biography:
After graduating in Architecture from UCD School of Architecture, I moved to London to gain professional experience and continued to work abroad for over 20 years working with some great architects and on some challenging projects including:
The Bath Spa Project, Bath (£20+ million) with Grimshaws.
Project Architect for a Millennium Project to restore spa bathing in the centre of Bath, a World Heritage site. The complex was made up of 5 listed buildings and involved a Conservation Area Appraisal and Listed Building and Planning Applications and public consultation. Collaborated on this project with artist, Vong Phaophanit under RSA Art & Architecture award.
University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) with Diamond Schmitt Architects, (2006). Winner of RAIC National Urban Design Award, Medal for Community Urban Design Award, 2008, Royal Architecture Institute of Canada, Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture, 2005, American Institute of Architects, Honor Award for Excellence in Planning a New Campus, 2006
The Grandstand, Lords Cricket Ground, London (£12 million) with Grimshaws, London. The stand was designed as 100m long, post-tensioned structure to provide uninterrupted views of the game for 6,200 spectators.
Women's Playhouse Trust, conversion of Grade II*-listed Wapping Hydraulic Power Station to performance space, 1988
Maritime Centre, Charleston, South Carolina, USA with Sasaki Associates. Design Architect for a fish packing facility, new marina and Waterfront Park. Winner of 1999 IDEAS Award (Award for Innovation in Design and Construction in Steel).
Library for St John's College, Cambridge with Edward Cullinan Architects
International Headquarters for RMC, Surrey with Edward Cullinan Architects
National Memorial to the Vietnam Forces, Canberra with Tonkin Zulaikha Architects, Sydney.
In 2000, I was a founding member of the Urban Panel, (2000), a strategic review panel set up by English Heritage and Commission of Architecture and Built Environment (Cabe) to advise on major urban developments. This is an inter-disciplinary, voluntary group based on around four extended field-trips per year to Local Authorities in England. I was seconded to the Urban Policy Unit in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minster to organize the 2002 Urban Summit.
I gained a Masters, with distinction, in Social Science and City Design from the Cities Programme at the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2003. I became a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional (LEED AP) in 2004.
I returned to Ireland in 2006 and have since lectured in architecture and urban design.
I have been an active member of the 20th Century Casework Committee in the UK, a member of Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC) in Toronto and currently a member of Architects and Humanities Research Association (AHRA) and DOCOMOMO, Ireland.
I am initiating a special award in 'The Design of the Built Environment' as part of BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition for 2011, an all-island event aimed at 12-19 year olds. My hope is that this award will nurture interest and act to promote the value of quality in architecture.
