View 34 of the final submissions to the inaugural Art of Architecture Competition, providing a captivating glimpse into the diverse ideas and exceptional talent shaping architecture in Ireland today.

November 2024, saw the launch of a unique open competition to design and oversee the construction of a pavilion that celebrates the art of architecture and will take centre stage at the 195th RHA Annual Exhibition, opening May 2025.

Designers selected their own theme but were asked to ensure the pavilion would be inherently architectural, expressive and visually interesting. The assessment Jury were delighted with the high standards of imagination and artistry manifestly displayed in the response  to the challenge set by the first ever, RHA design competition of this type. The entries were disparate in ideas, source and varied greatly in approach. The selection and separation of the final permeations provided a difficult but exhilarating challenge in itself, to the assessors.

The Jury were delighted to announce the winners, on 31 January 225 

• 1st Place: The Fall – Ben Mullen, Tom De Paor & Peter Maybury
• 2nd Place: Becoming Background, Rodhlann Mossop & Alex Pollock
• 3rd Place: Paperweight, Donal O’Cionnfhaolaidh, Ellie Leach, Keith Wiley & Ailbhe Beatty

Prior to the construction of the wining pavilion for the 195th RHA Annual Exhibition in association with McCann FitzGerald, 34 of the final submissions will be exhibited in the RHA Foyer this March, offering a fascinating insight to the breadth of ideas and immense talent working in architecture in Ireland today.

Jury: Des McMahon FRIAI PPRHA (Chair) • Eugene O’Shea CEO Walls Construction • Emmett Scanlon MRIAI Director IAF • Alice Casey MRIAI • Vera Klute RHA • Andrew Folan RHA

The competition and construction of the winning pavilion was made possible through the kind support of our partner Walls Construction, sponsors, H J Lyons, Reddy A+U and RKD as well as supporters, Irish Architecture Foundation and the Architectural Association of Ireland.