Cameron Ross MIDI, Joanne Neville, Michael Regan, Marc O’Riain, Domineco Rea, Tracy Fahey MIDI
CORK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL DESIGN WINS IDI DESIGN AWARDS GRAND PRIX
Cork based designers, Marc O’Riain, Domenico Rae and Stefanie Posthuma of RORSA have been named Grand Prix winners at this year’s IDI Design Awards for their innovative design of Cork University Hospital including the pool and home birthing rooms. The biennial IDI Awards, run by the Institute of Designers in Ireland, was held in the spectacular Round Room, Mansion House, Dublin. Over 300 guests from the world of design attended.
“We’re happily gob smacked,” said Marc O’Riain. “We came up hopeful and were astounded by the level of the entries. All three category wins and the Grand Prix were down to a team effort. We never thought we’d win so much.”
RORSA set the standard for the night, also winning three coveted ‘Eye’ trophies in various other categories.
A panel of high profile international designers assembled to judge the entries, including Robert Bau, Thomas Kurppa and Mads Kjoller Damkjaer.
Said Robert Bau of the winning entry:
“This innovative hospital design shows a change of mindset, using a hotel as a metaphor, a place of well-being. If this could be in the thought behind every hospital, it would be the way forward. The solution is so unexpected yet so obvious and relevant.”
In relation to the Birthing Room Thomas Kurppa added:
“Ireland could have more kids because of this!”
Guests at the ceremony included designers from all over the country, host Colin Murphy of RTÉ’s ‘The Panel’ and representatives of the creative and business community.
Sarah Vaughan, Colin Murphy, Rachael Murtagh MIDI
Gemma English, Wolfgang Klein, Sarah Minnis
Elizabeth Sawosko
Colin Murphy, Isabel Perceval
Susan McGowan, Amanda Graham, Justin Treacy
Katie Judge, Rocky Grenell
Aine Rooney, Colin Jennings
Christine Hunt, Carol Coffey MIDI, John Hunt, Kevin Moore