Opinion piece by Adam Endacott, Creative & Communications Director Editor, Architectural Technology Journal at Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) held its annual AT Awards at the Village Underground on 20 October 2023. The AT Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in Architectural Technology for both students and practitioners.

The 2023 winners are:

The Chartered Architectural Technologist of the Year

Winner: Craig O’Halloran FCIAT

Craig has been blazing a trail for the discipline of Architectural Technology in the United States since 2016. Although the discipline of AT is not formally recognised in the US, this has not stopped Craig from gaining a significant role in projects, his firm and in the industry. His point of view through the AT lens has allowed him to lead clients through transformational change in all his work.

The Emerging Talent in the Technology of Architecture
Winner: Rosie Thirlwell ACIAT

Rosie has had a significant impact and unwavering passion in the field of AT. In just six years, she has made remarkable strides, ascending from a trainee to a Senior Architectural Technologist. Rosie’s influence is evident not only in her impressive project portfolio, which includes the successful refurbishment of Newcastle Civic Centre and Britannia Leisure Centre, but also in her commitment to collaboration and sustainability.

 The Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology | Small to medium

Winner: Irish Life Sciences, Mel McGerr FCIAT, MMA Architects

Redefining construction through adaptive reuse, the Irish Life Sciences Global HQ is a prime example of excellence in Architectural Technology. The design seamlessly integrates state-of-the-art facilities within the original 1990s structure, balancing economic viability and sustainability through thoughtful material selection setting a high standard for responsible development and significant carbon reduction. An impressive range of sustainability measures has been integrated from the repurposing and re-use of existing materials to the extensive use of PV arrays and thermodynamic solar panels.

Highly Commended: Holly Hall Barn, JDDK Architects

This comprehensive rural barn conversion with access via a single car laneway posed many challenges to the design team. The conversion of an outdated property into modern home with greatly improved thermal efficiency was the main focus of this project. A fine attention to detail with thermal modelling and a detailed focus on PSI values was the driving force behind this sustainable design

Highly Commended: Plot 9, Caxton, PiP Architecture

This ambitious new rural self-build residential project applies slick minimalist detailing to contemporary materials and building technologies to provide a two-storey traditional barn inspired home. With its choice of materials reflecting the vernacular and the need for a relatively simple assembly, this project clearly meets the brief with design choices that make for a visually interesting and stimulating structure.

The Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology | Medium to large

Winner: Guinness Storehouse Gravity Bar Expansion, RDK Architects

This new roof top expansion to the existing gravity bar is this year’s outstanding Winner for the medium to large category. The sympathetic modification of the current structure is sustainable in terms of energy, history and culture and should be applauded. It is an exemplary illustration of integrating a new structure with an existing functioning building. With fantastic technical detailing, the project showcased excellent buildability and assembly techniques which allowed the expansion of the Gravity Bar whilst keeping the Guinness Storehouse fully operational.

Highly Commended: Specialist Veterinary Referral Hospital, Sheerin Bettle Architecture

Commended: Blythe Rose, Paul Burton of A P Architecture Ltd

The Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology | Large to mega

Winner: Mildenhall Hub, Concertus Design and Property Consultants Ltd

The Hub reflects the client’s aspiration for a multi-user facility with sustainability and efficient operation. This is a unique project that offered a regeneration opportunity to the area by supporting the growth of businesses. Mildenhall Hub is an excellent use of procedure and software to ensure issues of buildability (clash detection, design modelling) and assembly can be captured within the budgetary constraints. This was plainly a very complex project and recognition is given to the design teams handle on bringing everything together into a successfully constructed building. 

Highly Commended: Sutton Rose, Paul Burton of A P Architecture Ltd

Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology | Project
(recognising outstanding design achievement in AT based upon a university/college assignment)

Winner: The Hide – Centre of Environmental Safeguarding, Callum Matthew Craske, Nottingham Trent University

Highly Commended: Sirocco Quays: Multi-Generational Residential Scheme, Jack Buckley ACIAT, Ulster University

Commended: The Hex Building, Dylan O’Connor, South East Technological University

 Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology | Report
(recognising outstanding research achievement in AT from a dissertation assignment)

Winner: Reconstructing the Façade: An Investigation into the Fire Issues Surrounding Ventilated Rainscreen Cladding, Ulster University

Highly Commended: An Investigation into Improving Communication to Students with Enhance Remote Learning Experiences, Saif Wasim, Ulster University

Commended: Hemp Lime Composite as a Natural Building Material for Proposed Walls in Irish Construction, Jack Fleming, Atlantic Technological University

The President’s Medal
(The President’s Medal recognises and celebrates an extraordinary distinction or exceptional contribution to AT and the profession.)

Recipient: Gary Mees PPCIAT MCIAT

Gary has been embedded within the world of Architectural Technology for as long as most can remember. As such, he is a fountain of knowledge, constantly moving with the times, a creative thinker and promotes collaboration as the tool to keep our sector relevant, progressive, and ahead of the game. Gary has, and still, sits on many adviser groups to the Scottish Government and building standards and is contacted regularly when the Building Standards Division are looking for an expert in Architectural Technology within the built environment.

All the Awards, Finalists and winners are featured on our website architecturaltechnology.com/atawards.html. The Awards reopen on 5 February 2024.