Carefully and efficiently planned, adopting clever strategies
Northern Ireland RIBA Regional Award 2019
McGurk Architects & ARdMackel for Raidió Fáilte
Contract value: £1.63m
GIA: 581m2
Cost per m2: £2,805
Adjacent to the busy Westlink junction with the Falls Road, this small tower marks a critical point in the city. The building, a radio station headquarters, is clad in brick, with gold anodised perforated sliding screens closing it up at night and during the day sliding open to reveal a café on the ground floor. The tower is carefully and efficiently planned, adopting clever strategies to open up the stair to the rest of the floors, making it surprisingly light-filled. The jury was hugely impressed by the enthusiasm and energy of the client, which recognised the value and role of good design in creating a facility that not only functions well but sends a positive message and invitation to the broader community.
Client of the Year