AN iconic new building in Castletroy was awarded at the prestigious 2026 RIAI Architecture Awards.
The awards, run each year by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, highlight the impact of architectural excellence on buildings and places central to our everyday lives.
The new student centre at the University of Limerick was awarded in the Public Buildings at this year’s RIAI Architecture Awards.
The €34million facility, from Cotter and Naessens Architects, was opened in October 2025 by Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless.
The building was co-funded by UL students themselves through the ‘Leave a Legacy’ initiative, by means of an annual levy on student fees. It features a rooftop garden, 173-seat auditorium, games room, multimedia wall, and a dedicated radio and multimedia podcast studios.
At its opening last year, UL president Professor Shane Kilcommins said the centre will “serve generations to come and stands as a lasting testament to the vision of our students”.
Also nominated at this year’s awards was the new €213million Bon Secours private hospital at Towlerton, which opened this past March.
24 outstanding Irish buildings were honoured across 12 categories at this year’s Architecture Awards, from restored heritage buildings and revitalised public spaces to innovative housing, schools and workplaces.
The public-ballot award for Ireland’s Favourite Building went to the New Special Education Needs School in Letterkenny.
Nearby in County Clare, Squaring the Circle, a visitor centre for Inis Cealtra in Lough Gur, by McCullough Mulvin Architects, was awarded in the Adaptation and Re-Use category.
Commending the winners and nominees in this year’s awards, RIAI president Fionnnuala May said that “the RIAI Awards showcase the ability of architecture to respond to some of the most important challenges facing society today”.
“From delivering high-quality housing and creating more inclusive public spaces to supporting healthcare, education and sustainable development, this year’s winning projects demonstrate how good design can improve people’s lives in meaningful and lasting ways. Architects are working with the State and communities to deliver innovative public buildings and infrastructure that will support the needs of current and future generations.”