Winner:Skate Bowl and Plaza at Le Fanu, Ballyfermot

Project Client: Dublin City Council
Project Architect: Relational Urbanism
Project Engineer: Robert Barry Consulting Engineers
Project Contractor: C&A Build & Civil
Major Suppliers: Roadstone

This community led project borne out of an international design competition has been carefully designed and executed almost entirely in concrete to provide a fantastic amenity to the youth of Ballyfermot. An extensive public consultation process has resulted in a park that caters for a range of users of varying ability from BMX cyclists to scooter users and skateboarders.
The Design Team and the contractors on site have worked together to overcome construction constraints and deliver a challenging sculptural design achieving a 2mm tolerance throughout.
The jury was extremely impressed by the smoothness of concrete surface achieved across the three dimensional skate-BMX plaza, skate bowls and skate transition area, a critical requirement of a skate park brief.
This is a project of complex depressions, protrusions and undulations that demonstrates the careful use of in-situ concrete to create a highly successful amenity of which the community is justifiably proud.

Winner:UCC Student Hub

Project Client: University College Cork
Project Architect: O'Donnell + Tuomey
Project Engineer: Horgan Lynch Consulting Engineers
Project Contractor: JJ Rhatigan / DPPS Contracts
Major Suppliers: Kilsaran

The new Student Hub incorporates and refurbishes the 1850s Windle Building in the heart of the historic campus of UCC. A thickened wall of cellular rooms bends around the back of the original structure, enclosing an open hall for student activity.
The jury was particularly impressed by the colour, consistency and quality of finish of the in-situ concrete elements throughout the entrance and central Market Hall. Reception desk, bench, stairs, bridges and balconies are carefully formed in concrete and together with a richly textured red brick paved floor and painted steel elements create a dynamic space for student gatherings and public meetings.

Winner:Rose FitzGerald Kennedy Bridge

Project Client: Transport Infrastructure Ireland / BAM PPP & Iridium
Project Engineer: Arup / Carlos Fernandez Casado S.L
Project Contractor: BAM Ireland in Joint Venture with Dragados
Major Suppliers: Banagher Precast Concrete / Roadstone

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge, Ireland’s longest bridge at 887m in length, pushes the boundaries of bridge engineering and concrete technology and is a testament to the engineering skills and expertise of the Design Team and contractors.
This new dramatic crossing over the River Barrow not only greatly improves connectivity in the South-East region but also allows for the rejuvenation of the nearby town of New Ross.

Winner:Paul Marshall Building, London School of Economics

Project Client: London School of Economics
Project Architect: Grafton Architects
Major Suppliers: Techrete

The Judges were impressed with the quality of all the entries for this year’s Irish Concrete Society International Awards and consequently judging was difficult with a few projects scoring very highly.
However, there can only be one winner and the judges were unanimous in their choice; based on the complexity of the units used with interlocking panel geometry plus the high quality of finish the jury has selected the Paul Marshall Building, at the London School of Economics as this year’s International Concrete Award Winner.
The creative and innovative approach to overcoming challenging joint details required to present a strong visual feature which defines the façade of this iconic London University Building was most impressive.
Sustainability was introduced to the judging criteria this year. The commitment from Manufacturers to meet the current market demands for attention to sustainability is essential, and we join with our winner in celebrating the achievement of all the entrants for their success in winning prestigious overseas projects.

Winner:Aaron Lowe, TU Dublin

Simulating hydration of cement using PHREEQC