UCD Student Centre wins Universal Design Award

The winners of the RIAI Architecture Award 2013 were announced on the 4th July 2013. The RIAI Universal Design Award went to UCD Student Centre by Fitzgerald Kavanagh and Partners. The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority supported the award.

The jury commented on the award winning building as follows:

The new UCD Student Centre is an exciting building which embraces many of the guiding principles of Universal Design. It is evident that the Design Team engaged with and carefully considered the end-users throughout the design and construction phases. The use of colour, choice of materials and the simplicity of its layout contribute greatly to its ease of use. The result is a dynamic building devoted to providing sports and recreational facilities to the students and staff of UCD as well as to members of the public, regardless of age, size, ability or disability.

Members of the public also voted the UCD Student Centre as the winner of the Public Choice Award in this year’s awards.

Ballybay Community School, Co Monaghan by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects was commended in the Universal Design category.

UCD Student Centre

Photo by Donal Murphy; courtesy of Fitzgerald Kavanagh and Partners