Bee Breeders Architecture Competitions has announced winners for the Irish Cult Music Venue architecture competition tasked participants with envisioning a concept for a renovation and programmatic extension of the beloved local pub and live music venue, Connolly’s of Leap, in County Cork Ireland. The jury selected winning proposals that considered the landscape, as well as the integrity and spirit of the existing venue.

The winning project by Ian O'Brien, Enrique Garcia, and Oliver James from the UK, featured a raised glass skylight as its primary modification. Using materials of timber, local stone, and charred oak, the submission introduces four new buildings, well-situated on the hillside and housing band accommodations, a workshop, a studio, and an exhibition space.

Second place went to KGA Architecture from the USA for their project, Connolly's of Leap: Shaping the Sound, which comprised of a series of semi-underground space with curved shapes inspired by musical instruments. Third place was awarded to Lisa Mullikin and Kevin Stevens from the USA for their “Rooted/Rootless” project, which saw a series of gardens connected by ramps covered by a floating, faceted canopy.

The Student award + Green award went to Ineta Leonavičiūtė from the Vilnius Academy of Arts in Lithuania.

See the winning projects below with short jury comments:

1st prize: The Leap by Ian O'Brien, Enrique Garcia, and Oliver James from the UK

Jury comments:

"The jury found this submission to be buildable, well-suited for its site, and respectful of the existing building. It intelligently reorganizes the music venue, and it’s primary modification is the insertion of a raised glass skylight, allowing natural light to penetrate the event space. Using materials of timber, local stone, and charred oak, the submission introduces four new buildings, well-situated on the hillside and housing band accommodations, a workshop, a studio, and an exhibition space. The jury applauds the clarity and unique hand-drawn quality of the participant’s illustrations, and it encourages the designer to further develop the interior experience of these smaller structures."

Read interview with the 1st prize winners

2nd prize: Connolly's of Leap: Shaping the Sound by KGA Architecture from the USA

Jury comments:

"In the submission that most challenged the existing site, “Shaping the Sound” carved from the hillside to compose a series of semi-underground spaces with curved shapes that take cues from instrument design. It proposes a number of viewing points from which to observe the site, and both internal and outdoor events. In the submission’s street elevation drawing it highlights the only interventions visible from the neighborhood to be two timber structures, which anchor the site and give it the potential to become a landmark. The submission’s sectional drawings are especially provocative. The jury questions the total removal of trees from the site and suggests the designer to consider the site’s existing vegetation."

Read interview with the 2nd prize winners

3rd prize: Rooted/Rootless by Lisa Mullikin and Kevin Stevens from the USA

Jury comments:

"Rooted/Rootless" focuses the design of the expanded music venue around a central tree. A series of gardens connected by ramps brings visitors from the existing preserved building to a waterfall viewing zone and large new music arena set on the hillside. The arena is covered by a faceted canopy, the submission’s principle design move. The canopy appears to float above the existing venue, infusing it with a dynamic new form and material. The designer’s hillside section represents well the relationship of spaces and the importance of the existing natural elements in the proposal. The jury questions the function of the mobile armatures structuring the canopy and supports the designer to expand on this idea in other elements of the project."

Read interview with the 3rd prize winners

BB Student and Green Award: Bring the Artist and the Audience will follow by Ineta Leonavičiūtė from the Vilnius Academy of Arts in Lithuania.

Read full interview with BB Student and Green Award winners

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