About

Established in Cork in 2009. The studio focuses on producing well-designed and considered architecture that is appropriate both to the client’s brief and the site context. Fuinneamh Workshop has extensive experience working on housing schemes, historic area master plans, public buildings, art installations, conservation projects as well as bespoke domestic houses. The work of the studio has been published and exhibited internationally.

Philosophy

For us, architecture that is comfortable to the user, appropriate in scale and proportion, utilises materials carefully and has a quality of light, is the ultimate architecture. Whether the project brief is for a single-room extension or a housing scheme, these principles still apply. We have no defined design style but only one that is respectful to the client, the brief and the site. We are interested in craftsmanship and the detailing of materials, in order to realise a design that has honesty and longevity outside of any design period. At fuinneamh workshop, the design process for each project is investigated through a series of sketches, drawings and scale models. With each project, we consider carefully the important design factors of the user, the project brief and the site features to help us develop an appropriate design. We seek simplicity, not complication in our work.

Profile

Seán Antóin Ó Muirí

English
Gaeilge
Design Principal at fuinneamh workshop since 2009. Design Technology Studio Coordinator at the Cork Centre for Architectural Education, UCC since 2016 and Architectural Design Studio Tutor since 2018. Tutor for Oxford Brookes RIBA Design Programme 2022-2023. Inaugural President of the Cork Architectural Association 2016-2018. Chairperson Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland Southern Region 2017-2019. Lecture Series Coordinator for the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, Southern Region 2010-2019. Contributing reviewer to numerous architectural journals and author of IRELAND Architecture, 200+ Buildings since 1990 & DUBLIN Architecture, 150+ Buildings since 1990. Served as visiting guest critic to TU Delft, FAUP Porto, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and the School of Architecture University of Limerick. Passivhaus Institut Certified Designer with Passive House Academy, Darmstadt, Germany. Studied at the Dublin School of Architecture, TU Dublin and at École National Supérieur d'Architecture Montpellier, France. Studied under visiting Professors Glenn Murcutt at the DSA and Hitoshi Abe at ÉNSAM. Previously worked with O'Donnell + Tuomey Architects & Cino Zucchi Architetti.
Príomh Dearthóir do fuinneamh workshop.Staidéar ag Scoil Ailtireacht Bhaile Átha Cliath, DIT. Macléinn Erasmus ag École National Superieur d'Architecture Montpellier, an Fhrainc. Staidéar faoi Ollúna ar cuairt Hitoshi Abe ag ÉNSAM & Glenn Murcutt ag DSA. D'oibrigh cheanna le Ailtirí Shay Cleary, Ailtirí O'Donnell + Tuomey, & Cino Zucchi Architetti (Milano). Eagrathóir Sraith Léachtanna/ Rúnaí ag an Royal Institute of Architects Ireland, Ceathrú Deisceart ó 2010. Dearthóir aithinte Passivhaus Institut le Passive Haus Academy, Darmstadt, an Ghearmáin. Fuair Bonn órga Gaisce, Duais an Uachtaráin, ó Uachtarán Máire Mhic Ghiolla íosa, 2005. Léirmheastóir do roinnt irisí ailtireachta agus údar IRELAND Architecture, 200+ Buildings Since 1990(2017)agus Dublin Architecture, 150+ Buildings since 1990(2014). Aoi-léirmheastóir ailtireachta do roinnt ollscoileanna, ina measc RMIT Melbourne, Lárionad Oideachais Ailtireachta Chorcaigh, Coláiste na hOllscoile Chorcaigh Agus Scoil na hAiltireachta Choláiste na hOllscoile Luimnigh.

Collaborators Since 2009

Studio:

Michele Bagnato, James Costello, Kieran Donnellan, Eoghan Horgan, Alan Kavanagh, Kevin Kelly, Damien Kiely, Samuel Klein, Ana Olalla Melian, Mario Meshkov, Caimin Muldoon, Cormac Murphy, Peter Murray, Tony Murray, Paul O'Brien, Ciara O' Connell, Seán Ó hEachtigheirn, Jerry O'Shea, Daniel Quane & Hannes Schroll.

Artists:

Andreas Cesarini - Vinden Visuals, Jedda Desmond, Helle Helsner, Jed Niezgoda, Lucinda Robinson, Mick Wilkins & Cecil Whitford.

Awards

2022

“den talamh” – EcoLab for Tramore Valley Park for Creative Ireland, KinShip & Cork City Council – Competition: First Place

2018

Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, Future Award - Commended

2015

Cork City Council Architecture Bursary Award in collaboration with Scoil Oilibhéir, Ballyvolane, Cork.

2014

Cork City Council Architecture Bursary Award in collaboration with Scoil Oilibhéir, Ballyvolane, Cork.

2013

Casabella Architects Under 30. Milan, Italy. “Evolutionary Walk Pavilion” and “BurnY-BurnY” were selected by Francisco Dal Co as part of an exhibition and journal (Casabella 832) of the best architecture produced internationally by architects under 30 to celebrate Casabella’s 85th Anniversary.

2009

SESAM Italia: Evolutionary Walk Pavilion. Facoltà di Architettura Valle Giulia, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy - Competition: First Place

Exhibitions

2023

“den talamh” an EcoLab for Tramore Valley Park featured as part of “Tentacular Thinking Exhibition” at the James Barry Exhibition Centre, Munster Technological University, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland. 4th September – 6th October 2023.

2022

“Moore Street – Historic Area Urban Master Plan” exhibited at Nano Nagle Place, Douglas St, Cork, T12 X70A, Ireland. March 2022. 12th - 26th March 2022.

2021

“Moore Street – Historic Area Urban Master Plan” exhibited at the Atrium, Dublin City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin, D02 NP93, Ireland. December 1st - 8th 2021.

2018

“Teach Cnoic Uí Gogáin” exhibited at the Cork Architectural Association’s annual exhibition. “Geometry + Space”. The Atrium, Civic Offices, Cork City Council, Cork, T12 T997, Ireland. 5th November – 7th December 2018.

“Future Awards – Commendation” exhibited at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Awards 2018. Architecture Centre, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland. August 1st – September 21st 2018.

2017

“BurnY-BurnY” exhibited at the Cork Architectural Association’s annual exhibition. “L’Architecture Quotidienne”. The Atrium, Civic Offices, Cork City Council, Cork, T12 T997, Ireland. 23rd October – 24th November 2017.

2016

“Hibbertia” exhibited at the Cork Architectural Association’s in-augural annual exhibition “Architecture and Place”. The Atrium, Civic Offices, Cork City Council, Cork, T12 T997, Ireland. 21st November – 16th December 2016

2014

“Murlán Cnoic Uí Gogáin” exhibited at "Describing Architecture Exhibition 2014: Memory & Place". Curator: Antóin Doyle. Irish Georgian Society, City Assembly House, 58 South William Street, Dublin 2. 17th October - 8th November 2014.

2013

"BurnY-BurnY” and “Evolutionary Walk Pavilion” exhibited at "Casabella Architects Under 30". Casabella Laboratorio, Via Marco Polo 13, 20124 Milan, Italy. 16th December 2013.

2007

"Landmarks, a Directory to a City Index" exhibited at EASA INCM Exhibition, Motovun, Croatia. October 2007.

"Landmarks, a Directory to a City Index" exhibited at EASA Exhibition, Elfisina, Greece. July 2007.

2006

"Nano City Exhibition" - Lezingo, France. November 2006.

"CODE Exhibition" - Technical University, Berlin, Germany. June 2006.

Publications

Published Books:

IRELAND Architecture, 200+ Buildings since 1990", Seán Antóin Ó Muirí ISBN 978 0948037 597. Publisher: Gandon Editions (2025).

"DUBLIN Architecture, 150+ Buildings since 1990", Seán Antóin Ó Muirí ISBN 978 0948037 580. Publisher: Gandon Editions (2014).

Writings:

Architecture Ireland, Contributor to “Community Architecture”, Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. Editor: Emma Gilleece. P37, Issue 301. Sept-Oct 2018.

Architecture Ireland, “Between the Cathedral Gates”, by Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. Editor: Dr. Sandra O’ Connell. P36, Issue 292. April 2017.

IRISH ARCHITECTURE, The RIAI Annual Review. Review of The Haven Hostel, by Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. Editor Dr. Sandra O’ Connell. P174-181, Volume 6, November 2015.

TOTALLY DUBLIN. Review of The Hall House by Seán Antóin Ó Muirí, P14. Issue 123. December 2014.

"Experiments on Architects", Luis Hilti. Essay: "listening architecture", Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. Publisher: BVD Druck+ Verlag AG (2009).

Journals and Media

Architecture Ireland, Interview with Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. “The Architect As The Civic Actor”, by Alex Curtis. Editor Michael Hayes. P.22-25, Issue 328. May 2023.

“The Examiner”, “Lessons can be learned from master plan for Dublin’s Moore Street”, Interview with Seán Antóin Ó Muirí on the Moore Street Historic Area Urban Master Plan by Michael Moynihan. 10th March 2022.

Architecture Ireland, Interview with Seán Antóin Ó Muirí for “The RIAI + Architecture Ireland Future Award”, by Emma Gilleece. P. 38-39, Issue 302. November 2018.

Architecture Ireland, (Projects: BurnY-BurnY, Tiarseach & Teach Cnoic Uí Gogáin). Editor Dr. Sandra O’ Connell. P.83, Issue 292. April 2017.

Irish Examiner. “Architects celebrate a local sense of place". Review of Architecture and Place Exhibition featuring Hibbertia, by Carol O’ Callaghan. November 26th 2016.

Architecture + Place, Cork Architectural Association’s Exhibition Book. The project featured: Hibbertia. November 25th 2016.

The Irish Independent, “How one teacher's grand designs evolved into life lessons for pupils. ”Feature on Médiathèque Project with Scoil Oilibhéir by Katherine Donnelly. September 14th 2016.

Architecture Ireland. Médiathèque – Education Project by Fuinneamh Workshop. P. 9, Issue 285. January/ February 2016

Architecture Ireland. Review of DUBLIN Architecture 150+ Buildings since 1990, by Michael Hayes. Issue 283. September/ October 2015.

CARA, Aer Lingus in-flight Magazine. Review of DUBLIN Architecture150+ Buildings since 1990, by Bridget Hourican. P. 28, June 2015.

Irish Arts Review. Review of DUBLIN Architecture 150+ Buildings since 1990, by Seán Ó Laoire. P140 Issue: Vol.32 No.1. March-May 2015.

Irish Examiner. “Timely guide to Dublin design", Review of DUBLIN Architecture 150+ Buildings since 1990, by Tommy Barker. November 22nd 2014.

The Irish Times. “The buildings defining a new Dublin". Review of DUBLIN Architecture 150 + Buildings since 1990, by Frank McDonald. November 6th 2014.

Casabella Architects Under 30. Special 85th Anniversary Edition, featuring the best architecture produced by architects under 30 internationally. (Projects: Evolutionary Walk Pavilion & BurnY-BurnY). Publisher: Electa Publications. P46-50. Issue 832: December 2013.

“Small Projects Part 2” (Project: Evolutionary Walk Pavilion) Publisher: Plan Magazine, P.31, 34. Issue: September/ October 2010.

“City Index” EASA007 (Project: Landmarks, a directory to a City Index) ISBN 978 960 88489 6 2. Publisher: School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens. P142-143. 2010

Arketipo (24-Ore), (Project: Evolutionary Walk Pavilion). P17. Year 4, Issue: No. 31. March 2009.

“Casa per Tutti” (Project : Triennale di Milano with Cino Zucchi Architetti) ISBN: 978 88 370 6085 5. Publisher: Electa Publications. P34-37. 2008.

“Nano City - International Architecture Workshop”, Elodie Nourrigat ISBN: 2-9519793-8-X. Publisher: Champ Libre, P. 76, 77, 111. 2007.

Lectures and Presentations

2024

Lecture: Presentation of the Moore Street Historic Area Master Plan at the 1916 Rising Anniversary Symposium. GPO, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1, D01 F5P2, Ireland. April 24th 2024.

Lecture: ‘of ground’. A reflection on the provenance of materials for the Radical Humanities and the Architecture Departments, UCC. CCAE, Douglas St, Cork, T12 AD7R, Ireland. February 12th 2024.

Lecture: Rammed earth construction in an Irish context with Kieran Ruane Engineer for Engineer’s Ireland. Rochestown Park Hotel, Rochestown Road, Douglas. Cork, T12 AKC8, Ireland. January 23rd 2024.

2023

Lecture: Talk on “den talamh” - EcoLab, as part of the ‘Staying with the Trouble’ Symposium at the Rory Gallagher Theatre, MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork, Ireland. October 4th 2023.

2022

Lecture: “The Works of John Benson” for National Heritage Week. Carpenter's Hall, Fr. Mathew Quay, Cork, Ireland. August 13th 2022.

Lecture: “Moore Street – Historic Area Urban Master Plan” at:
- Nano Nagle Place Douglas Street, Ireland. March 12th 2022.
- Áras Uí Chonghaile, 374 Falls Rd, Belfast BT12 6DG. August 8th 2022.

2021

Lecture: “Moore Street – Historic Area Urban Master Plan” at Pearse House, 27 Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland. October 7th 2021.

2018

Lecture: “Making Decisions on Form” at Patrimonio Architettura Urbanistica, Mediterranea, University of Reggio Calabria, Italy. October 2018.

2016

Presentation: “Fotraigh le Teacht" Documentary, screened at "RETROACTIVE", INCM Madrid. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), Avenida Juan Herrera, Nº 4 28040 Madrid, Spain. November 8th 2016.

2014

Presentation: Francesco Dal Co presentation of Architects Under 30, Casabella 832. Polo Didattico Ingegneria, Campus Universiatrio, Viale G.P. Usperti, Parma, Italy. January 9th 2014.

2013

Presentation: "talking about architecture". Two short films featuring Martin and Marta Rauch's Haus Rauch and Nuno Brandão Costa's Casa em Afife. CIT Crawford College of Art and Design, Main Theatre, Sharman Crawford Street, Cork, Ireland. October 16th 2013.

Lecture: "Documentation". Event0.1, Artitude, Cuvrystraße 3-4, 10997 Berlin, Germany. June 1st 2013.

2011

Presentation: "Fotraigh le Teacht" - Documentary. Screened at: "Towards Urban Renaissance: Community Involvement in the Built Environment", Centre for Urban and Regional Studies, University of Birmingham, UK. March 16th-25th 2011.

2010

Presentation: "Fotraigh le Teacht" - Documentary. Screened at:
- 'Una Pequeña Ayuda', 41 Calle, Sevilla, Spain. January 30th 2010.
- "Seachtaine na Gaeilge 2010". An Caifé Gaelach, 107 Sráid Amiens, Dublin 1, Ireland. March 6th 2010.
- "Portobello Film Festival" - Inn on the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello Green, London W10 5XL, UK. September 15th 2010.
- "The Spanish coast de-configuration", Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Aula Magna, Camino de Vera, s/n 4602, Valencia, Spain. 16th December 2010.

2009

Lecture: "SESAM ITALIA" - Facoltà di Architettura Valle Giulia, La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. April 2009.

Presentation: "Fotraigh le Teacht" - Documentary. Screened at: - Office of Public Works, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland. January 29th 2009 - Darfo Boario Terme, Brescia, Italy. July 31st 2009. - EASA INCM Exhibition, Schaan, Liechtenstein. October 2nd 2009.

2008

Presentation: "Fotraigh le Teacht" - Documentary. Screened at: - EASA INCM Exhibition, Nicosia, Cyprus. October 2008.

Publications

Published Books
IRELAND Architecture, 200+ Buildings since 1990", Seán Antóin Ó Muirí ISBN 978 0948037 597. Publisher: Gandon Editions (2020).

"DUBLIN Architecture, 150+ Buildings since 1990", Seán Antóin Ó Muirí ISBN 978 0948037 580. Publisher: Gandon Editions (2014).
Writings
Architecture Ireland, Contributor to “Community & Architecture”, Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. Editor: Emma Gilleece. P37, Issue 301. Sept-Oct 2018.

Architecture Ireland, “Between the Cathedral Gates”, by Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. Editor: Dr. Sandra O’ Connell. P36, Issue 292. April 2017.


IRISH ARCHITECTURE, The RIAI Annual Review. Review of The Haven Hostel, by Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. Editor Dr. Sandra O’ Connell. P174-181, Volume 6, November 2015.


TOTALLY DUBLIN. Review of The Hall House by Seán Antóin Ó Muirí, P14. Issue 123. December 2014.

"Experiments on Architects", Luis Hilti. Essay: "listening architecture", Seán Antóin Ó Muirí. Publisher: BVD Druck+ Verlag AG (2009).
Journals/ Media feaured in
Architecture Ireland, Interview with Seán Antóin Ó Muirí for “The RIAI + Architecture Ireland Future Award”, by Emma Gilleece. P. 38-39, Issue 302. November 2018.

Architecture Ireland, (Projects: BurnY-BurnY, Tiarseach& Teach Cnoic UíGogáin). Editor Dr. Sandra O’ Connell. P.83, Issue 292. April 2017.

Irish Examiner. “Architects celebrate a local sense of place".Review of Architecture and Place Exhibition featuring Hibbertia, by Carol O’ Callaghan. November 26th2016.

Architecture + Place, Cork Architectural Association’s Exhibition Book. Project featured: Hibbertia. November 25th2016.

The Irish Independent, “How one teacher's grand designs evolved into life lessons for pupils.”Feature on MédiathèqueProject with Scoil OilibhéirbyKatherine Donnelly. September 14th2016.

Architecture Ireland. Médiathèque–Education Project by Fuinneamh Workshop. P. 9, Issue 285. January/February2016

Architecture Ireland. Review of DUBLIN Architecture150+ Buildings since 1990, by Michael Hayes. Issue 283. September/ October2015.

CARA, Aer Lingus in-flight Magazine. Review of DUBLIN Architecture150+ Buildings since 1990, by Bridget Hourican. P. 28, June 2015.

Irish ArtsReview. Review of DUBLIN Architecture150+ Buildings since 1990, by Seán Ó Laoire. P 140 Issue: Vol.32 No.1. March-May 2015.

Irish Examiner. “Timely guide to Dublin design", Review of DUBLIN Architecture150+ Buildings since 1990, by Tommy Barker. November 22nd 2014.

The Irish Times. “The buildings defining a new Dublin". Review of DUBLIN Architecture150+ Buildings since 1990, by Frank McDonald. November 6th 2014.

Casabella Architects Under 30. Special 85th Anniversary Edition, featuring the best architecture produced by architects under 30 internationally. (Projects: Evolutionary Walk Pavilion & BurnY-BurnY). Publisher: Electa Publications. P46-50. Issue 832: December 2013.

“Small Projects Part 2” (Project:Evolutionary Walk Pavilion) Publisher: Plan Magazine, P.31,34.Issue:September/ October 2010.

“City Index” EASA007 (Project: Landmarks, a directory to a City Index) ISBN 978 960 88489 6 2. Publisher: School of Architecture, National Technical University of Athens. P142-143. 2010

Arketipo (24-Ore), (Project: Evolutionary Walk Pavilion).P17. Year 4, Issue: No. 31. March 2009.

“Casa per Tutti” (Project : Triennale di Milano with Cino Zucchi Architetti) ISBN: 978 88 370 6085 5. Publisher:Electa Publications. P34-37. 2008.

“Nano City -International Architecture Workshop”, Elodie Nourrigat ISBN: 2-9519793-8-X. Publisher: Champ Libre, P. 76,77,111. 2007.
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