Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

From Georgian cities to modernist masterpieces, architecture in Ireland has a long history of excellence. The last fifteen years, however, witnessed more social, economic, and cultural change than any previous period on the island, leaving a dramatic mark on the country's architecture. A new commitment to design quality by developers and a series of government-sponsored competitions to design new civic buildings enabled Ireland to become for the first time a net importer of architectural talent. These architects, from disparate cultures and design backgrounds, filled Ireland's landscape with modern architectural masterworks, from small private homes to large community centers.

InFull Irish author Sarah A. Lappin examines the nature of twenty-first-century Irish architectural identity as it develops its own progressive, contemporary idiom. Illustrated with color photographs and drawings,Full Irish includes more than seventy projects from Ireland's leading firms as well as its up-and-coming designers: Boyd Cody, Alan Jones, de Blacam and Meagher, Bucholz McEvoy, de Paor Architects, FKL Architects, Dominic Stevens, Grafton Architects, Henchion+Reuter, Hackett Hall McKnight, Heneghan.Peng, McCullough Mulvin, Hassett + Ducatez, MacGabhann Architects, O'Donnell + Tuomey, and ODOS Architects.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Ireland's recent economic surge has launched social change, immigration, and a building boom. American-born Lappin (architecture, Queens Univ., Belfast, Northern Ireland) has produced a survey of recent work by 16 Irish firms. After introducing issues of national identity and urban development, the author briefly profiles each practice and describes a few buildings illustrated with plans, sections, and color photographs. The survey includes houses, schools, office buildings, libraries, and community centers throughout the island and overseas. The standout partnership is heneghan.peng.architects, which has won major international competitions, but the author shows respect for local and regional practices. Unfortunately, readers will be constantly flipping pages, as most graphics are not with the descriptions. Some of the photographs lack detail because they are so dark. Captions are minimal, and text-page margins are inadequate. Verdict A fine concept and engrossing content let down by substandard publishing; mainly of interest to architects and design students.-David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., B.C. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Born and educated in the United States, Sarah A. Lappin moved to Northern Ireland in 1998, where she continues to practice as an architect. She is a lecturer at the School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering at Queens University in Belfast.