Announced on Wednesday 3 November at the RIAI Conference, The Lyric Theatre was named as winner of the RIAI triennial Gold Medal. The award is Ireland’s finest accolade for architecture. Since 1934, the RIAI has awarded the Gold Medal to a building, either in Ireland or internationally, for a design of exceptional merit. The medal is awarded several years after completion so that the success of the building can be confirmed by the passage of time.
The Lyric Theatre is a significant cultural landmark for not only Belfast, but for Northern Ireland. Surprisingly it’s the only full-time producing theatre in the country. The Lyric was first established in 1951 and moved to its current location on the Stranmillis Embankment in 1968. The new-build project was commissioned due to limited space in the auditorium and was successfully completed in 2011.
Immediately excited at the potential of this project, IN2 worked with O’Donnell + Tuomey to develop the competition winning design team entry for this major civic building.
IN2 were responsible for the full MEP design along with designing the buildings energy strategy, undertaking extensive Daylight/Sunlight and Wind analysis with our Building Physics team successfully achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. IN2 were appointed separately as lighting designer. This included recreating the complex geometry of the timber clad performance spaces and working closely with the architects to select and position light fixtures that fully accentuated the stunning internal finishes.
The RIAI Gold Medal adds to The Lyrics already impressive list of accolades, including but not limited to; RSUA Building of the Year at the 2012 Design Awards, The Royal Institute of British Architects Award, Civic Trust Award, AAI Special Award, Department of Environment Planning and Development Award.
IN2 are proud to be part of this award-winning project and to have worked together on this iconic building with O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, Gilbert Ash, Rider Levett Bucknall and Horgan Lynch Consulting Engineers.
