Luan Gallery, Athlone Culture Building, Ireland architectural award, Irish architecture images

Luan Gallery, Ireland

Irish Culture Building design by Keith Williams Architects – award news

12 + 11 Jul 2013

Athlone Art Gallery

Design: Keith Williams Architects, London

Location: Athlone, Ireland

ATHLONE’S LUAN GALLERY WINS PRESTIGIOUS ARCHITECTURAL AWARD

Athlone’s Luan Gallery has received the architectural award for the Best Cultural Building of 2013 under the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland’s (RIAI) annual awards programme.

Luan Gallery Athlone Culture building on the river
photo from architect

The award was presented to the Luan’s architect Keith Williams founder and design director of Keith Williams Architects by Ruair Quinn, TD, Minister for Education and Skills and Michelle Fagan, President of the RIAI, at Dublin’s City Hall 4 July 2013.

The judges’ citation reads “The strong composition and planar control, allied to an assured choice of materials, has created a calm presence on the quayside for this elegant civic extension. In forming a visual plinth for the cathedral behind, the Luan complements its presence on the River Shannon. Within (the building), the galleries balance modern exhibition demands with the pleasure of glinting river views.”

Luan Gallery Ireland
photo from architect

Pat Keating, Town Clerk of Athlone Town Council stated “the Luan gallery is located in a superb setting in the centre of Athlone and targets national and international projects to bring a varied and engaging arts programme to the people of Athlone. The town council is delighted that the gallery has been awarded the best cultural building of 2013 and congratulate Keith Williams Architects on their design”.

Keith Williams commented: “Naturally I am delighted that the Luan Gallery has been recognized with this prestigious award. It is an award primarily for the excellence of its architecture, but I think is also a testament to our clients Athlone Town Council, who had the vision in these difficult times to press ahead and commission this important new venue, which is already doing so much for the arts in the Midlands.”

Luan Gallery Ireland Luan Gallery Ireland Luan Gallery Ireland Luan Gallery Ireland
photos from architect

Luan Gallery images / information from Keith Williams Architects

Keith Williams Architects (KWA)

Location: Luan Gallery, Athlone, Ireland, western Europe

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Also by Keith Williams Architects in Ireland:

Athlone Civic Centre + Square

Contemporary Irish Art Gallery Buildings Selection

The Butler Gallery, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, province of Leinster, South-East Ireland
Design: McCullough Mulvin Architects
The Butler Gallery Kilkenny building by McCullough Mulvin Architects
image © McCullough Mulvin Architects
Butler Gallery Building in Kilkenny

Lewis Glucksman Gallery
Design: O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects
Lewis Glucksman Gallery Cork Building

An Gaelaras Derry
Design: O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects
An Gaelaras Derry

VISUAL Carlow – George Bernard Shaw Theatre
Design: Terry Pawson Architects
Visual Carlow

Background to Keith Williams Architects

Keith Williams is design director of Keith Williams Architects (KWA), a firm with a stream of accolades supporting its fast growing international reputation for the creation of dramatic, innovative architecture. The London based firm was winner of the prestigious BD Public Building Architect of the Year Award in 2006 & 2008, and has won more than 20 major design and construction awards for its built projects.

The firm’s major projects include the multi-award-winning Athlone Civic Centre, Co. Westmeath 2001-2004, the newly completed Wexford Opera House 2005 – 2008, and Clones Library & County HQ, Co. Monaghan 2004-2008 all in Ireland. Elsewhere, inert alia, the firm’s award-winning Unicorn Theatre, London was completed 2005, The Long House, London in 2007, whilst at design stage the firm is working on the new Marlowe Theatre complex in Canterbury, in addition to the new district Museum in Chichester.

Keith Williams is a specialist designer of cultural buildings including theatres, opera houses, museums and galleries, libraries, civic centres, and frequently faces the challenge of building in a tight urban or historic context. He is a member of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and has recently been appointed to the National Design Review Panel of CABE.

The firm has won numerous competitions and its work, which has been published worldwide.

Key Irish Building by Keith Williams Architects

Wexford Festival Opera Theatre Royal, Wexford
Keith Williams Architects
Wexford Opera House

Buildings by Keith Williams Architects

Chichester District Museum

The Long House

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