We are delighted to see Shane’s artwork on the walls of the recently completed Nova UCD. Kavanagh Tuite Architects collaborated with Shane to produce 6 large scale screen prints commissioned by Ornua, The Home of Irish Dairy, and donated to UCD. Shane documented his process from inception to completion using photography. Check out our interview with Shane about the artwork on our previous blog post at this link.
Initial concept image
Sarah Mac Loughlin of KTA presented at the BIMcert Conference at Titanic Belfast last Wednesday, 22 January. The industry leading conference titled ‘Reducing the Energy Footprint in the Built Environment’ boasted an international line-up of speakers from across Europe including Macedonia, Croatia and Denmark. The event highlighted how the BIMcert partners have empowered the construction sector to embrace digital transformation and have powered change in the construction sector to reduce carbon emissions targets. Well done to Sarah for her contribution to this event!
Following on from the success of last years office bake off we took part in a savory bake off this year in an attempt to save our waist lines! Congratulations to John Fitzgerald for winning Star Baker of 2019!
On 26th of September I had the pleasure of speaking at the The CitA BIM Gathering which was held in the Galmont Hotel, Galway. The BIM Gathering is Ireland’s leading academic forum in BIM and digital construction processes. The event acts as a focal point for stakeholders from Ireland and abroad to come together and share their research and experiences with BIM. The theme for this year’s event was “Delivering Better Outcomes for Irish Construction”.
Over the last year I have been researching “How can small to medium size companies within the AEC industry in Ireland deal with both organisational and individual resistance to the implementation of the BIM process in practice?”. In December 2017 the National BIM Council announced the Road-map to Digital Transition for Ireland’s Construction Industry 2018-2021. The Road-map was developed to increase BIM adoption here in Ireland. This got me thinking about the effect of such a large-scale industry change on our SME’s, but more so on the individuals within these practices.
I was delighted when the opportunity arose to share this research with those working in the industry, and I hope that it was of benefit to those embarking on their own BIM implementation journeys within their companies. It is clear to see the benefits of BIM within our Tier 1 companies in Ireland, but it’s important not to forget the smaller companies that make up such a large percentage of our economy. “We can’t leave anyone behind”.
On the 15th of November I will be travelling to Odense, Denmark, to present my research at the 8th conference of International Congress of Architectural Technology. The theme of the next ICAT conference will focus on all issues relating to the renovation, refurbishment and re-use of existing buildings, with a sub-theme on the implementation of BIM in these areas.
Sarah MacLoughlin, BIM Co-ordinator & Architectural Technologist at Kavanagh Tuite Architects
It was great to receive the hard copy and latest, 6th Edition, of the RIAI Good Practice Guide to our office. It has been thoughtfully dedicated to our former managing director, the late, Brian Kavanagh. This is a true reflection of Brian’s valued contribution and commitment to the industry over the years. He would have been the first to recognise all the other contributors and their hard work.
Well done to Joe O’Neill for qualifying for the KT Bake Off Final at the end of the month with his delicious vegetable samosas. We were spoiled this morning with a feast of savory treats! Brilliant effort by all, a great way to kick-off the Bake Off!
Last Friday, 21st June, KTA took part in Dog Friendly Ireland Day 2019 promoted by Dogs Trust in an effort to make Ireland more accessible to dogs and their owners. They asked establishments of all types across the country to allow dogs access with their owners for the day. The campaign has been running for three years. Last year more than 500 individuals and organisations took part in the event. Meet Theodore, KT’s new mascot, hard at work!
Sarah recently completed the 3 year part time MSc. Applied Building Information Modelling and Management course at the Technological University Dublin. The course aims to provide an educational setting in which to develop the ability to initiate and lead the holistic and integrated process of design, construction, and life-cycle management through the medium of BIM. The content is centred on the collaborative and multi-disciplinary building design process.
Sarah undertook research into the area of how small to medium size companies within the Irish Architectural, Engineering and Construction industry can deal with both organisational and individual resistance to the implementation of the BIM process in practice. KT’s educational supports contributed to Sarah achieving a First Class Honours Degree in her Masters Degree. She worked incredibly hard and deserves this high academic achievement. Well done Sarah!
Well done to Beth, Sarah and Katie on completing the VHI Women/s Mini Marathon. They were flying the flag for the KT running club and are photographed below with their well deserved medals.
The Presentation of RIAI Membership Certificates took place on Monday 27 May 2019 in the Pepper Canister Church (St. Stephen’s Church).
A total of 217 new Members were admitted to RIAI membership during the period May 2018 to March 2019, of which 196 were Architects, 9 Architectural Graduates and 12 Architectural Technologists. In addition 29 members were elected to RIAI Fellowship.
The formal presentation was followed by a drinks reception at the RIAI which provided an opportunity to meet with the new members and fellows and to celebrate their achievements with their families and friends.
Congratulations to KT’s own John Fitzgerald who is photographed below.
Congratulations to KT’s Alan Hutchinson and Agnieszka Wiewiorowska on successfully completing their Professional Diploma in Architecture at UCD. The Professional Diploma in Architecture is the final professional examination for architectural graduates, leading to entry to the RIAI. We were delighted to support them in their studies, their hard work really paid off. Well Done!
KTA were delighted to attend the Leinster Rugby Champions of 2009 Gala Dinner on Tuesday 28th May in the RDS Main Hall. The black tie event celebrated the Heineken Cup Champions of 2009. It was the 10 year anniversary celebration of Leinster’s maiden European Cup victory, a 19-16 win over English side Leicester Tigers in the final in Edinburgh. Proceeds raised were donated to Crumlin Children’s Hospital and the Leinster Rugby Centres of Excellence program.
Photo credit: Leinster Rugby
As part of our social activities we took part in a creative screen printing workshop at Damn Fine Print last Thursday afternoon. Damn Fine Print artist, Liam Gough, guided us through the process of screen printing. We chose images, transferred them onto silk screens, chose inks and finally pulled prints. What a great way to start a bank holiday weekend!
Kavanagh Tuite Architects, along with many other architectural firms around Ireland, hosted a very successful Benevolent Breakfast on Friday, April 26th, in aid of the Irish Architects Benevolent Society. The Society relies heavily on the voluntary contributions of architects and technologists for funds and every euro contributed will go to the relief of a colleague’s difficulties.
Our Director, Liam Tuite, was on the judging panel for the RSUA/RIBA Awards this week. He is photographed below with (left to right) Professor Neil Gillespie of Reiach and Hall, Edinburgh, Dr. Suzanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Liam Tuite, and Alan Jones, incoming President of the RIBA 2019-2021.
Photo Credit Ciaran Fox of RSUA.
Our colleagues at KTA participated in the Great Ireland Run in the Phoenix Park yesterday, 14 April 2019.
The run was set in the iconic surroundings of Europe’s largest urban park. Well done to those involved and some great times were achieved!
Kirby Engineering and Construction recently installed a Digital Construction Hub on site. This product is a real step towards a future of better BIM led digital communication for site teams.
Lead Mechanical and Electrical BIM Engineer, Stephanie Niland, photographed above, testing the new Hub on site.
The site team are reviewing the federated BIM model in the photograph below using Navisworks to navigate and preempt any possible service run clashes.
Photo credit: Kirby Group Engineering
Turning the page was a reception held on 7 December 2018, at 8 Merrion Square, Dublin. The occasion celebrated the dedicated work of former Architecture Ireland editor, Sandra O’Connell, in addition to welcoming incoming editor, Michael K. Hayes. Past and Present contributors to the journal and members of the editorial board attended the evening. Content from Architecture Ireland, The RIAI Journal.
Gerry Murphy, Sandra O'Connell and our Managing Director, Liam Tuite, are pictured above at the event. Photo credit: Ste Murray.
The editor’s cover image is a photo taken from Dr. Sarah A. Sheridan’s article on the origin’s of Peamount Sanatorium. “Visually defined by spotless pinafore aprons and white nursing caps, this over one-hundred-year old staff photograph is both visually distinct and familiar; hopefully attracting audiences to read further on the lives lived and spaces made within the architecture of health and well-being.” - Editor Michael K. Hayes
Photographer, Fionn McCann, delivered a photography workshop to the office last Friday afternoon. The objective of the workshop was to encourage everyone to take more photos and to give greater consideration to content and composition. Fionn began the workshop by explaining how a camera works, discussing aperture and shutter speed. He went on to discuss composition, light, angle and juxtaposition.
Fionn took us through examples of his work and discussed the process of photographing a building from sunrise to sunset. It was insightful to hear he begins by photographing the building in context and then moves in tighter with his camera, eventually photographing details. This drew parallels with our own architectural design process.
We then carried out a fun practical exercise to reinforce the learning experience. This involved taking photos in our locality and critiqued the photos on our return. This was followed by a session of questions and answers and a prize for the best photo…well done Beth!
