Scottish firm's design chosen for 1,000-pupil Tallaght school

The Irish Times - Monday, July 23, 2012

FRANK McDONALD, Environment Editor

A FIRM of Scottish architects has picked up the top prize in a competition for the design of a new 1,000-student post-primary school in Dublin, beating some of Irelands leading architects.

The contest, organised by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, attracted the highest number of entries for a design competition here, with 154 submissions including 43 international entries from 14 countries.

The winning scheme by Ayr-based ARPL Architects is to be developed on a site owned by the Department of Education in Kingswood, Tallaght.

The Scottish firm will manage its construction with a view to the school opening in late August 2017.

Minister for Education Ruair Quinn said the wide interest in the competition is a reflection of the importance of quality design of schools. But the high number of entries also reflects the desperate need of Irish architects for new work to keep going.

Joint second place was shared by Dublin-based de Blacam and Meagher Architects and the Coady Partnership.

It is expected that they will be commissioned to design other schools for sites owned by the department as funding becomes available.

Others shortlisted to take part in the second and final stage of the competition were all Dublin-based: Grafton Architects, Michael Kelly Architect and BDP.

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Scottish firm's design chosen for 1,000-pupil Tallaght school