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Design plaudits for Buncrana
architect
13.05.08
A BUNCRANA-born
architect has won plaudits at this year's Royal
Society of Ulster Architects' (RSUA) Design Awards.
James McGrory of HMD Architects in Derry, won a
commendation for his "sensitive" redesign of St.
Mary's Church, Drumragh, Omagh - a project on which
he collaborated with former Muff parish priest
Monsignor Joseph Donnelly. |
In their summing up,
the judges said the redesign displayed a "sensitive
and light-touch intervention, extending the simple
and elegantly proportioned original".
They said the Inishowen man's redesign enhanced "the
purity of the original form".
Speaking after picking up the award at Belfast's
Waterfront Hall, James said:
"I'm delighted with the award as it is a great vote
of confidence in the care and sensitivity we brought |
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to the project. It was
a pleasure to work with Monsignor Donnelly on the
redesign because he was open to our ideas and
trusted we would respect the sanctity of the
building while harmonising the old with the new. |
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"We also collaborated
closely with contractors McAleer & Teague from Omagh
during the nine-month project."
As part of the project, James designed a new
extension to house the sacristy, designed a new
Wicklow granite altar as well as interior furniture
including solid oak pews. He also designed a unique
oak and walnut baptismal font with a glass bowl to
reveal a crucifix beneath.
Also at the RSUA awards ceremony, a Belfast city
residential property was named Liam McCormick
Building of |
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the Year Award in memory of
the late great Greencastle architect. |
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