Irish architect Níall McLaughlin, winner of the 2026 RIBA Royal Gold Medal, shares his projects and practice in conversation with architect Amanda Bone …
Celebrated architect Níall McLaughlin offered a refreshingly candid look behind the polished façade of architectural success, reflecting on his body of work, industry challenges and the personal sacrifices that can accompany a career at the highest level.
After a brief introduction from Ciara Doherty, architect Amanda Bone delved deeper into Níall’s story, drawing out professional insights. Attendees got to hear directly about some of the celebrated architect’s work, including the Bishop Edward King Chapel, the Alzheimer’s Respite Centre in Dublin, and the Stirling Prize-winning New Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge. Beyond the awards and accolades, Níall spoke of the “provisional” nature of architecture, and how you must walk away and move on to the next project.
“It’s more perspiration than inspiration sometimes,” he says.“It’s a very, very difficult profession,” he told the captivated audience. “You’re thrown into very adversarial situations. You’re fighting for ideas and principles that you believe in, in the face of a procurement industry who have no interest in that. And it’s a battle. You’re constantly under threat in some way. From the position of someone who’s reached success, I don’t want people to think that there’s some other world in which [you] would actually do it better. There’ve been some pretty difficult moments, and my family would tell you, there’ve been weeks or months, where I’ve not been able to sleep, and have been torn apart by things not happening or that are out of my control.”
Reflecting on what has sustained his practice over the last 35 years, he says simply “My great love in life is architecture. I think what you need to do is be super diligent. You have to work through problems and have a degree of confidence. And I think the other thing you need to do is be able to tell stories.”
With guests travelling from across the country, and some further afield, to hear from the London-based architect, there was plenty of catching up to be done. A dedicated space where attendees could connect and recharge pre-and post-events was the Nespresso For Business Lounge. For others, the DWD Range Rover Terrace at Anantara The Marker provided some much-needed sustenance under the September sunshine, topping off a perfect afternoon.
Photography: Conor Healy, Picture It Photography
For details of more Design Week Dublin events, in partnership with Range Rover, see designweekdublin.com.
