Photography credit: Ste Murray
Photography credit: Ste Murray
Friday, 2 August 2024

AR Public awards: winners announced

Dún Laoghaire Baths by DLR Architects Department and A2 Architects in Ireland has been announced as this year’s winner of the AR Public awards, alongside two highly commended and three commended projects

The link to the AR story is here: https://www.architectural-review.com/awards/ar-public/ar-public-awards-2024-winners-revealed

Originally built in 1843, Dún Laoghaire Baths have been redeveloped by the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) Architects Department and A2 Architects, and include the restoration of a pavilion, a new jetty featuring in-built seating, a changing canopy, a refurbished Edwardian gazebo and a new walkway from Newtownsmith. This public space facilitates sea bathing, water sports and events, connecting residents with the Irish Sea.

The winning project was selected by a panel of judges including Ricky Burdett, professor of urban studies at the London School of Economics; Aziza Chaouni, associate professor of architecture at the University of Toronto and the founding principal of the design practice Aziza Chaouni Projects; and Günther Vogt, founder of Vogt Landscape Architects.

Günther Vogt said: ‘The architecture and outdoor spaces of the Dún Laoghaire Baths are powerfully designed to resist an unrelenting force of nature: the sea. The buildings and promenade nevertheless convey an inviting atmosphere. The materials seek a dialogue with the rocks in the surf – cast from gravel, water and cement, they appear like geological formations, both materially and in terms of the dimensions of the individual parts.’

AR Award
Photography credits (left to right): Rural Urban Framework and Francesca Ióvene
AR Award 2
Photography credits (left to right): Albers Studio, Rafael Gamo and Olivier Hess

The judges selected two highly commended projects: the Ger Innovation Hub in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia by Rural Urban Framework, and seven interventions in Monte by Studio Ser in Monte, Switzerland.

Ricky Burdett said: ‘The narrative and resolution of the Ger Innovation Hub in a neighbourhood of Ulaanbaatar is a powerful reminder of the potential of socially and ethnographically aware architecture to create the conditions of community engagement and mutual support. Its success is contingent on a deep understanding of the social dynamics of the district, and the ways in which its residents live, work and move around’.

Aziza Chaouni said: ‘The seven interventions in the Swiss village of Monte are a great illustration of minimal intervention with maximum impact. Discussions with residents led the research process, revealing the stories and uses that have defined the village and its community. The project’s restraint is a testimony to the fact that small-scale, low-budget interventions in historic fabrics can be transformative’.

Three additional projects were commended by the jury, including the Muelle de San Blas by Colectivo C733 in San Blas, Mexico, described as ‘no mere pavilion in a park’ by Günther Vogt. ‘The structure’s generous roof complements the use of the surrounding landscaping, and becomes a tipping point between architecture and park,’ he added.

Also commended is the border library and sports centre by Fernanda Canales Arquitectura on the Mexico-US border in Agua Prieta, Mexico. ‘Placing such uplifting programmes – a library and a sports centre – so close to the border is a political act. Simple schemes with limited material palettes encourage people to use, rest in and pass through them,’ said Aziza Chaouni.

The National Portrait Gallery by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell Architects in London, UK was also commended by the jury. Ricky Burdett commented that ‘the architects have re-orientated the entry sequence to a significant cultural facility, thereby giving new public life and dignity to a previously unloved and poorly used leftover space in the heart of London’.

AR Public Live
The architects of Dún Laoghaire Baths and our judges will join us live online on Thursday 8 August to discuss their work. This will be followed by a Q&A session. Please register your free attendance here.

The full 2024 shortlist

  • Rambla de la Girada by Batlleiroig Arquitectura in Spain
  • Muelle de San Blas by Colectivo C733 in Mexico
  • Dún Laoghaire Baths by DLR Architects Department and A2 Architects in Ireland
  • Border library and sports centre by Fernanda Canales Arquitectura in Mexico
  • National Portrait Gallery by Jamie Fobert Architects and Purcell Architects in the United Kingdom
  • Wayair Foundation School by Jeju Studio and Arh+ in Tanzania
  • Railway Forest Park by JSa in Mexico
  • BookWorm Pavilion by Nudes in India
  • La Petite Saussaie by Paysarchitectures in France
  • Ger Innovation Hub by Rural Urban Framework in Mongolia
  • Seven interventions in Monte by Studio Ser in Switzerland
  • Tlatenchi Cultural Centre by Taller CD in Mexico
  • Taiwan-Reyhanli Centre by The Centre for World Citizens in Turkey
  • Jieshou Village Hall by Wang Weijen Architecture in China
  • Tjalmaweg by ZJA in The Netherlands

 

Images

You can download images of the winning projects here. Please ensure the photographers are credited as indicated.
 

About the AR Public awards

Public space is a stage for human life, a place of democracy and collectivity. Open, accessible and abundant public space is crucial to the civic health of our cities and shared landscapes – a critical communal resource. As these spaces become increasingly threatened in the face of darkening commercial and political forces, the AR Public awards recognise the importance of creating, rescuing and renovating public spaces.