STATEMENTS BY CANDIDATES FOR RIAI COUNCIL 2012 CARROLL, PETER B.Arch, MRIAI, Director A2 Architects established in 2005 with Caomhan Murphy. Thesis Studio Tutor at School of Architecture University of Limerick (2006-present) Course Director at SAUL (2011- present) Treasurer of DoCoMoMo Ireland (2010-present) RIAI 'Architecture Ireland' Editorial Board Member (2010-present) Past Editor of AAI 'Building Material' (2000-2002) Member of Examining Board of Architects Registration Assessment Examination (2010-present) Statement: At such a critical time for a profession that cannot afford to be complacent, I believe it is time not just to be critical in current architectural practice but to be critical of current architectural practice: I call for more transparency in tendering procedures, more open discussion and evaluation of design quality. COADY, JIM, B.Arch (1969), MA Urban Design (Manchester 1972), FRIAI. First Vice President 1999-2000 and 2004-2005. Member of the Practice Committee from 1997-1999 and 2001-2003. Member of the Professional Conduct Committee 2004-2008. In private practice, principally involved in education, health, leisure, urban design and housing. Statement: the better design of public buildings, particularly for health and education, remains my greatest interest. If elected, through council and chairmanship of the Design for Education Group, I will focus on: improving and widening the public procurement system for architectural services creating opportunities for better school design stoking the debate on the design of primary and post primary schools all within the framework of the Government Policy on Architecture. CONROY, EDDIE B. ARCH (1980), M.ARCH. SC. (1997) F.R.I.A.I. Past President AAI, Member RIAI / DoE Joint Housing Committee (1996-2008) Studio Tutor in DIT (1989-2000) now visiting critic; External Examiner to DIT, Member of RIAI Board of Architectural Education (visiting boards to DIT, UL, WIT, CCAE Cork). STATEMENT: Commitment to an integrated response to climate-change offer the opportunity of a saner approach to place-making - one founded on compact settlement, public transport and diverse, flexible building design. The growth of urban design / master planning shows the drifting together of a number of environmental disciplines. The development of this collaboration, including the simplification and normalizing of now laborious procurement procedures, will be my area of interest in the coming year.
CURLEY, EMMA, B.Arch., M.Arch., MRIAI. Visiting tutor School of Spatial Planning, DIT, 2009/2010. Part time lecturer School of Economics and Real Estate in DIT, 2010 to present. Committee member of Design Week, 2011. Established my practice in 2010, and in the process have sought to create collaborative partnerships with Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), including Service Designers, Graphic Designers, Animators, Film Makers, Product Designers, Fashion Designers and Furniture Designers. Statement As a member of generation rebuild, I believe that the RIAI must represent the key imperatives for our society, jobs and opportunity. Irish SMEs using design strategically are 2.5 times more likely to experience growth in demand.. Design does matter. However, we do need to join together/act collectively as an industry, across all design professions, to the crisis in our profession. FLETCHER, PADDY, BArch FRIAI RIBA Graduated in 1975 with an Honours B.Arch Degree from University College Dublin. Member of the RIAI Competence Task Force, Design for Education Group and Procurement Group. He joined A. & D. Wejchert & Partners, Architects in 1975, was made an Associate in 1984 and Partner in 1999. He is currently Joint Managing Director. Statement: The practice of architecture is in crisis. I would assist Council addressing: Procurement methods and assessment criteria. Fee bidding which is compromising the quality of design, professional service and threatening the viability of architectural practice in Ireland. The fostering of new graduates so that they get work experience to maintain architecture as a vibrant profession. GREVILLE, EAMONN, Dip Arch, B. Arch Sc. (DIT 1983), Dip. I.D. MRIAI, Senior Architect, Department of Education & Science. Statement: If elected, I would work to promote the continued development of design quality and sustainability in the area of educational design; work to develop greater opportunities for architects in securing public works commissions, and support and develop the aspirations and aims of the Government Policy on Architecture 2009-2015.
KEANE, ROBERT B.Arch (UCD 1994), Architect in private practice. Statement: I m interested in working with the RIAI to make the Institute much more of a practical and useful aid to Architects in practice today I d like to focus on making Architects and the bodies that represent professional practice in this county more accountable. The image of the architect as designer and professional in Ireland needs to be enhanced. RYAN KENNIHAN Ryan W. Kennihan studied architecture at Cornell University. Originally from Chicago, he relocated to Dublin in 2002 and established his own practice in 2007. He is also a lecturer at the Dublin School of Architecture at DIT. Statement: By far, the majority of you reading this work in or own small practices. Yet despite being in the majority, too often it seems that the policies and agendas of the RIAI fail to account for the operations and ambitions of small practice. I would like to help to refocus the RIAI to address our concerns and facilitate our aspirations. MANDAL, ROBIN, B.Arch., M.Arch.Sc., FRIAI, RIBA, RSUA, ARB. Robin Mandal established his practice in 1979 with the intention of providing high quality architectural services from a small organisation. Since its formation, it has been recognised as being a design led pragmatic practice, with particular conservation skills, combining an understanding of the built heritage with contemporary architecture. Former Chair of RIAI Historic Buildings Committee, current RIAI Professional Practice Examiner, 2 nd Vice President RIAI 2002. First Vice President 2003, Member of Council 2004 2009. Statement: My main interest is to make the practice of architecture more positive for members, to encourage co-operation and excellence, to facilitate best practice, to defend the status of the architect, to reclaim parts of our work that we had ceded, and to find new opportunities for using our unique skills.
Niall Meagher, Dipl.Arch B.Arch.Sc Dip.Proj.Mgmt Dipl.Arb FCIArb MRIAI Director, Interactive Project Managers. RIAI Honorary Treasurer 2004 2005. Current member of the RIAI Practice Sub-Committee C and of the Liaison Committee. Specialising in Project Management I experience at first had the difficulties facing the practitioner in the uneven assessment of Architectural skills in competition and in the challenge to the role of the Architect as the Design Team Leader and Contract Administrator. I will focus on these areas of concern which I believe are central to the success of the profession in these challenging times. O'CONNOR, TOM - B.Arch. (NUI 1968) FRIAI, DIP.TP. (NUI 1978). MIPI. Statement: For almost two decades I practiced as an architect /planner (in Ireland and abroad) in both the private and public sectors. Having served for a further period of 22 years as a Senior Inspector, Director of Planning and Member of the Board of An Bord Pleanala, I retired in 2009. Since retirement my professional activity has mainly involved contributions to the work of ICOMOS (International Council for Monuments and Sites) as well as to the Architectural Policy Committee of The Heritage Council and to the Design for Education Group of the RIAI. ÓDrisceoil, Micheál, B.Arch, MRIAI, Sole Practitioner. As convenor of the Small Practice Forum, Dublin my role is to communicate the expressed needs and experiences of participating small practices to the leadership of the Institute and to facilitate the delivery of relevant, practical, professional development resources to practitioners in the face of fundamental change in the technology and statutory context.
Ó MUIRÉ, TOAL Ó MUIRÉ, TOAL B.Arch. M.Arch.Sc. M.B.A. Dip.Arb. Dip.Cons.Law, FRIAI RIBA FCIArb. Currently a member of: RIAI Council, RIAI Admissions Board, RIAI International Affairs Committee, RIAI Housing Committee; RIAI/DoECLG Joint Housing Committee; RIAI informal groups on Building Control, on Dispute Resolution, and on Multi-Units Development Act 2011; ACE Work Groups on Professional Qualifications Directive (Chairman) and on Dispute Resolution; Outgoing Chairman of the European Network of Architects Competent Authorities; RIAI rep on Liaison Committee Sub-Committee on Sub-Contractor Collateral Warranty. Statement: I aim to help the RIAI to promote: 1. Opportunities for architects to work in traditional and new roles, including in several areas relevant to the groups and committees noted above; 2. Architectural and urban quality; 3. client/architect-led architectural services to rival producer-led design, and 4. less waste and frustration in our planning and building control systems POWER, DAVID, BArch, MRIAI, RIBA, Director Cox Power Architects Westport established in 1988. RIAI Honorary Secretary 2009/10. RIAI Western Region Representative 2005/06/07/08. Assessor RIAI Architecture Awards 2005. RIAI Visiting Board member to University College Dublin 2008. Member RIAI Housing Committee 2008. RIAI Representative to Western Development Commission 2008/09. Founder member of the RIAI Procurement Committee which is focused on removing obstacles to the participation of small practices in publicly funded projects. Statement: If re-elected I will ensure smaller less experienced practices can tender for public work. We need to help practices manage in the ongoing recession and encourage government to spend on infrastructure. We need to maintain the quality of the architect s register and identify ways of helping graduates to register. ROGERSON, FIONNUALA, B.Arch FRIAI (NUI 1976). In private practice since 1985 working mainly in housing, urban design, community & education sectors. RIAI Council member 1993 1995 & 2004-2009; Board of Directors IABS 1997-2010. ACE representative on EC Expert Group on Accessibility 2002/2003. Member of RIAI Working Groups on Professional Practice Examination and Sustainable Development 1993 1997; PCC 2004; Task Force on Accessibility 1998-2010; RIAI Healthcare Design Cttee 2010; currently represents RIAI on NSAI Standards Working Groups, Dublin Docklands Development Authority, LGMSB working group on Disability Access Certificates. Since 2005 Director UIA Region 1 Work Programme on Architecture for All. Statement: If elected I will encourage and support the RIAI in all moves to address the challenges facing the architectural profession to-day. I will seek to broaden the Institute s relevance and accessibility both to members and the wider community. In addition I will work to promote quality in architecture, which is both socially & environmentally sustainable.
SHAFFREY, GRAINNE, B.Arch., M.A. Urban Design, M.R.I.A.I. Member of: Architects Admissions Board; RIAI Urban Design Committee; RIAI HBC; Architecture Ireland editorial board. Also actively involved in many non RIAI activities and organisations relating to architecture and the built environment, e.g., board member of the Heritage Council and the National Building Agency. Statement: The many forms of architectural practice which are now emerging need the continued support of the RIAI as they offer alternative and effective ways of advancing the importance of architecture to a broader public. I will continue to advocate for the wider communication of architecture (beyond the profession) as essential to everyday life. STATEMENTS BY CANDIDATES FOR COUNCIL 2012 (ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGISTS) BYRNE, JOSEPH BSC(HONS) ARCH. TECH., RIAI (ARCH TECH) TMIS Graduated from WIT in 1989. RIAI Arch. Tech. member since 2006; Member of the RIAI Architectural Technician Committee from 2006 to present; Current chairman of RIAI ATC; Member of the RIAI Architectural Technologist Competences Committee (2009-2010); Member of the RIAI Architectural Technologists Admission Routes Committee 2010 to present; My work experience with architectural practices principally involved projects in the residential, commercial, industrial and leisure sectors. STATEMENT: If elected, I would hope to further promote and develop the role of the Professional Architectural Technologist within the RIAI. O KEEFFE PRUNTY, CATHY DIP. ARCH. TECH., RIAI ARCH TECH., DIP A. (COMM. & IND.), MA HIGHER ED RIAI Arch. Tech. member since 1985; Past AT representative on Council (1988); Member of the RIAI Architectural Technician Committee from 1987-1989 and from 2006 to present; Member of the RIAI Architectural Technology Task Group (2007-2009) which developed the draft Standards of Competence of RIAI Architectural Technologists which was subsequently published by the RIAI in 2010;Member of the RIAI Board of Architectural Education from 2010 to present; Examiner for RIAI Architectural Technologist Entry Exam (2009); Convenor of Exam Board and Examiner for RIAI AT Entry Exam (2011). Graduated from DIT 1981, my work experience with architectural practices principally involved, healthcare and education. Part-time Studio Tutor in DIT from 2004-2006; Teaching full-time since 2006, I have been Year Head of 2nd Year Architectural Technology for the past three years. STATEMENT: I would like to promote the development of the profession of the Architectural Technologist to advance the ethos of best practice as a collaborative technical support to good architectural design. Regulatory and legislative matters have increased the work-load required to get the simplest building built, thus I believe good architecture has suffered as a consequence.