PDA have been responsible for a wide variety of project types from Housing to Industrial, Public Realm to Educational, Conservation and Urban regeneration and much in between.
Living and working in South-West Donegal, our work is deeply rooted in community and its context. We design for people and place with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
A team of detail-oriented designers who love what they do.
Dip. Arch Tech, Dip. Arch, BSc Arch, PG Dip Urban Planning & Sustainable development. RIAI Architect accredited in Conservation Grade 3
As principle architect and manager with over 30 years’ experience within a rural practice my primary role is to provide strategic oversight and lead the team as problem solvers, every day, every project, every context, every brief creates a diverse and unique set of challenges and problems to be solved, be it design oversight, cost, planning, compliance with EU, National, Local regulations, worker and end user safety and general project procurement constraints and red tape. Each problem has to be considered, discussed, navigated and solved successfully to allow the project to move forward. An Architect has a responsibility beyond his client’s aspirations. A responsibility to society and to the next generations, A responsibility to provide a sustainable, accessible, inclusive quality-built environment. Which responds to its context, environment and social and community aspirations and needs. Fostering good urban design and place making by leading with a commitment to thoughtful, sustainable design that responds to the cultural and environmental context of Ireland’s northwest. Studying for a master’s in urban Regeneration to provide the knowledge to assist in halting urban decline and loss of a sense of place in rural Ireland. Clients and community aspirations are achieved. Urban form is improved. quality of the built fabric is uplifted with a place based sensitivity to foster a stronger sense of pride in our towns and villages.
Dip Arch, BSc Arch, MA . PG Dip Ped. PG Cert Building Energy Performance EED RIAI Architect accredited in Conservation Grade 3.
I am passionate about, and feel very responsible towards our Architectural contribution to the town and village streetscapes we work in. I strive for well-designed and detailed buildings, that inspire and reward their owners with light filled daily life. I believe in the potential for society to build sustainably and to enable the restorative powers of nature - but I also believe we have a massive duty to change current practice and play our part in reducing carbon emissions associated with building. I try to do more with less and design for minimum waste - in the size of buildings, materials used and the ability for a building to be as multifunctional as possible. Undertaking authentic retrofitting that respects the original fabric - not only for protected structures. Incorporating the principles of Passive House design I have enabled client’s homes to deliver all of the above in a cost effective and inspiring future-proofed building. Collaborating with communities and relevant groups on regeneration strategies enables their voices to be part of the design, in the Diamond Public Realm project we listened to the needs of businesses and the public ensuring our design and interventions resulted in longer and safer dwell time, exceeding all expectations.
I qualified as an Architectural Technologist from Bolton Street (DIT) in 2001 and worked in Dublin and London before moving back to Donegal. I have worked with Rhatigan Architects in Sligo and Paul Doherty Architects since 2002. As Senior Architectural Technologist, my role involves reviewing the technical design of projects to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations prior to tender stage. Once the projects go to construction stage, attending site meeting and dealing with queries. I am the main point of contact for the contractors, I liaise with other consultants and compile information related to BCAR compliance. I recently completed a Certificate in Building Control Management. I am passionate about promoting good building practice to ensure buildings are safe, accessible and sustainable. We are involved in numerous housing projects both private and for local authorities. As all buildings must have a 50 year design life, a knowledge of current building regulations and an understanding of appropriate materials is vital. I am very interested in conservation and bringing vacant buildings back into use. We recently worked on a renovation of a mid terrace stone house. These buildings require a sympathetic approach and many of the issues only come to light when work starts on site.
I qualified from ATU Donegal with a BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology in 2021. I commenced work with Paul Doherty Architects that summer. As a qualified architectural technologist now for four years, I have worked on a wide variety of projects, in domestic construction, public realm works, local authority contracts and education. I am tasked with drawing/modelling buildings throughout the different stages of the building process, from the initial sketch design through planning and the tender & construction stages, using a variety of drawing and rendering software packages. Projects include public realm works for Donegal County council , school extensions for the department of education, projects with the Housing agency , and various developments for the ETB. I never have the same day twice, and that keeps it engaging. I have a keen interest in the planning application system and the detailed design stages, as these processes are as challenging as they are rewarding. The collaboration within the office is particularly enjoyable, as is delivering on all the stages of the design, tender and build for the clients.
As a recently qualified Architectural Technologist, starting my new role, I am keen to expand my knowledge of the construction industry further. My work involves assisting the senior technologists and architects in bring concept ideas to construction solutions with strict focus on the technical detail aspect and designing to the building regulations standards. I work with software such as Revit and Auto Cad and I am keen to provide sustainable comfortable buildings that can be enjoyed by people for years to come.
The foundation of any successful project is built upon understanding, trust, communication and collaboration. Our goal is to understand your goals.
Whether it is a new-build or a repurposing of an existing building, we want to learn as much as possible about your needs, the site, the budget, regulations and constraints and help you develop a brief for a building that will attain those goals and exceed expectations. We’ll look at options (undertake feasibility) so we can all be sure of the right path ahead. We’ll develop a massing model to show the various possibilities in different forms and positions on the site. We will explain the impact of each option and help you choose the one that suits your needs best.
We will develop the design further in sketch and 3D model to allow you understand the form and rationale behind it. The design process continues well into the project stages but a strong identifiable rationale/concept will keep us all on the right track. When we have agreed a way forward together, a full design proposal will be created leading to a planning application.
Following a successful planning decision and other consents where necessary, we will develop detail design, suggesting structure, cladding, windows, floor materials and finishes to correspond with the agreed design. This is a really important process in order to get the exact quality and standard of finish you wish for. During this time we will also complete a full building regulations compliance design, to achieve BCAR (Building Control Amendment Regulations).
The tendering process follows where we will ask up to five experienced contractors to price the work and give an estimate of all costs. At the stage of appointing a contractor we will enter a contract (RIAI Contracts) to ensure that the process and final result is equitable for all.
When the project is on site, we will provide regular inspections of the work to ensure quality and compliance. This will also be an opportunity for interim payments to the contractor to be certified by us and drawn from lending agency etc.
Following practical completion on site a yearlong defects liability time will allow any snags or tweaks to be completed fully before the final payment to the contractor.
Over 20 years experience in all areas of architectural practice.
At our architectural practice, sustainability is the cornerstone of our design philosophy. Our commitment goes beyond meeting basic building regulations, as we strive to surpass industry standards in creating environmentally responsible structures. We prioritize thermal performance, minimizing operational energy through meticulous material selection and construction methods. Embracing off-site prefabrication and prioritizing timber structures helps reduce embodied energy and promotes sustainable building practices.
Constantly evolving, we actively seek knowledge to enhance our ability to design better-performing, sustainable spaces. Our approach involves understanding how our buildings function post-occupancy, equipping us to address climate challenges through socially and environmentally responsible design.
Taking a holistic project-specific perspective, we evaluate and incorporate renewable technologies tailored to each project. We recognize the importance of balancing sustainability with budget constraints, ensuring that specified systems and technologies align with economic considerations.
As certified Passivhaus Designers, we integrate the fundamental principles of Passivhaus into every project. This commitment results in energy-efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective buildings that benefit both clients and users.
Our clients know us for being curious and committed to them and their visions. Selected clients include:
Donegal County Council
Donegal County Council
Donegal County Council
