Model School Inchicore has been awarded a Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of Architects (RIAI), Ireland’s most prestigious architectural accolade. The medal was awarded to architects Donaghy + Dimond and celebrates the exceptional architectural achievement and the lasting impact of this project on the school and its community.
As Quantity Surveyors, Lawlor Burns and Associates worked closely with the architects and the wider project team to ensure the delivery of this complex and sensitive project. Through successful collaboration, we helped to bring this ambitious vision to life while navigating the challenges of a tight site and a live operational school.
The redevelopment combined the careful restoration of the original 1853 school building with the addition of a stunning timber-clad, three-storey extension. The building incorporates flexible spaces that foster an inspiring learning environment, including classrooms with window seating and areas designed for quiet reflection. Additionally, a new PE hall was created to provide much-needed facilities for the school, enhancing the overall experience for students.
The RIAI jury praised the project as a work of “real delight and social significance for the school and the local community”. The design features a thoughtful blend of historic character and modern functionality. Fondly named “the treehouse” by its pupils, the new building’s design promotes a strong connection to the surrounding environment. A key feature of the design is its large windows with views of Inchicore village, historic horse chestnut trees and the Dublin Mountains.
The RIAI Gold Medal is presented only once every three years or more, recognising a building designed by an Irish architectural practice. The award is given several years after the building’s completion to use the passage of time as a benchmark for the project’s success.
We would like to extend our greatest congratulations to Donaghy + Dimond and the entire team involved on this project.
