ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE RIAI GOLD MEDAL PRESENTATION ON TUESDAY 24 MARCH 1998
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT MARY McALEESE AT THE RIAI GOLD MEDAL PRESENTATION ON TUESDAY 24 MARCH 1998
In this, my first year in office, I am delighted to continue the tradition of ‘Presidential participation’ in the presentation of the RIAI Gold Medal ceremonies. Living, as I do now, in a building which spans several generations and styles of architecture, I have become – if I wasn’t before -acutely aware of our architectural heritage – of the influence of the great celebrated names of former eras on Ireland – of the great legacy of architecture that we have in some of our older and more formal towns and cities. In fact, Áras an Uachtaráin is a repository of that great legacy of architecture for which Dublin was renowned in its heyday as the second city of the British Empire – a legacy that is still very much reflected in the modern city that Dublin is today.
Architecture – as Ernest Dimnet, the French priest and write put it, – “of all the arts, is the one which acts the most slowly, but the most surely, on the soul”. Perhaps the key word in what Dimnet says about architecture is “art” – for architecture is an art in that is serves far more that the more functional roles of shelter and utility – it gives pleasure to the senses of touch and sight – it occupies a space – it influences our lives – it is an integral part of our landscape.
Looking at those who are being honoured today, and at the projects that have earned them their well-deserved awards, you can see how each has combined the elements of art and use – how they have taken account of their location – their impact on the landscape – the people who will occupy and use the buildings - in a way that has produced some of the finest architecture for which this century will certainly be renowned.
The ‘coming of age’ that Ireland has experienced over the last several decades that has seen a new found prosperity – a new sense of confidence and self-belief – you can see how that new spirit has been mirrored in many aspects of our lives. And it has been reflected - indeed celebrated – in the modern and self-confident architectural idiom in the latter part of this century – in the tasteful development of new public buildings, new amenities and new townscapes – in the willingness to preserve the old and to work with it rather than against it. The increased awareness of health and safety issues - of environmental concerns, building regulations, energy conservation - are all challenges which the architectural profession has met and utilised to produce more innovative solutions. Today we have a body of architectural expertise that is up with the best in the world.
Among the consuming public too there is a great awakening to the importance of architecture and good architectural practice – an appreciation of the qualities of form and shape – of colour, of aspect. The great advances in technology and materials – in the availability of new products and materials - coupled with an appreciation for the space that we have – the landscape in which we build – the heritage and culture that we live in – have produced projects of unparalleled quality and distinction.
The projects being celebrated today clearly fall into that category. In each case, the designers have moved away from pure use and utility - they have produced buildings that are sensitive to their environment and use - and yet are themselves great works of design which have the essential enduring quality that makes them true works of art.
I would like to congratulate all those who are being honoured today – particularly the Office of Public Works who are receiving the Gold Medal. Indeed, the quality of work undertaken by the Office of Public Works too often goes unrecognised. Yet they have consistently completed projects of the highest quality and to the highest standards, while preserving the enormous architectural heritage with which they are charged, and, at the same time, producing buildings that break new frontiers in modern architecture. Their award today for the Ceide Fields Visitor Centre is richly deserved, and I congratulate the entire team who worked on it.
Finally, I would like to commend the RIAI for their role in promoting good practice in Ireland. Since the first RIAI Gold Medal award in 1935, it has taken on an increasing importance in the context of the changes that architects and the profession are meeting, especially at this time – changes in working relationships with developers and promoters – in the management of projects – and in construction processes. The award is a milestone in marking Irish architectural developments – it gives due recognition to our architects of distinction and encourages the development of architecture in this country – an Ireland that eagerly awaits a new millennium with all the challenges that that entails.