Box Architecture and Hackett & Hall makes YAYA 2007 finals

Two Irish firms, one from Dublin and one from Belfast, have made the list of twenty finalists for YAYA 2007.

Box Architecture was created in 1997 in Dublin by David Dwyer and Gary Mongey. Their philosopy of “The exploration of light is critical to our work” has led to their work receiving awards from the RIAI and AAI. Since conception, the company has been established as a leading design practice having won 9 Irish National Awards to date. Quality has remained the focus of Box throughout and this has been employed to a variety of projects including urban schemes, apartment units, award-winning private commissions, corporate offices, crèches and housing developments.

Belfast firm, Hackett & Hall, with a staff of eight, led by Mark Hackett and Alastair Hall have received several RIBA awards. “Working in Belfast and Northern Ireland is like working outside the mainstream of architectural debate. This isolation has been liberating insofar as we can work quietly on our own projects.” They were recently shortlisted for the 2007 Manser Medal for the UK’s best home.