Athlone’s Luan Gallery has received the architectural award for the Best Cultural Building of 2013 under the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland’s (RIAI ) annual awards programme.
The award was presented to the Luan’s architect Keith Williams, founder and design director of Keith Williams Architects, by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn and Michelle Fagan, president of the RIAI, at Dublin’s City Hall recently.
The judges’ citation reads “The strong composition and planar control, allied to an assured choice of materials, has created a calm presence on the quayside for this elegant civic extension. In forming a visual plinth for the cathedral behind, the Luan complements its presence on the River Shannon. Within (the building ), the galleries balance modern exhibition demands with the pleasure of glinting river views.”
Pat Keating, town clerk of Athlone Town Council stated “The Luan Gallery is located in a superb setting in the centre of Athlone and targets national and international projects to bring a varied and engaging arts programme to the people of Athlone. The town council is delighted that the gallery has been awarded the best cultural building of 2013 and congratulate Keith Williams Architects on their design.”
Keith Williams commented: “Naturally I am delighted that the Luan Gallery has been recognised with this prestigious award. It is an award primarily for the excellence of its architecture, but I think is also a testament to our clients Athlone Town Council, who had the vision in these difficult times to press ahead and commission this important new venue, which is already doing so much for the arts in the Midlands.”
