ATU architectural technology students scoop overall award at ICAT 2024
TUD graduate wins Dr Neils Barrett Award for Best Conference Paper
ATU students were declared overall winners at this year’s 10th International Congress on Architectural Technologist Conference Student Event hosted by ATU. First year architectural technology students Charlie Lufniak and Fabricio Rocha, second year student Emma Neale and third year student Lucas Goncalves won the award for their detailed design of a workable, sustainable buildable solution, in answer to a brief, which they presented to an external panel of AT professionals (judges).
The student’s design was of a sustainable two-storey building focusing on technical accuracy coupled with the best use of sustainable materials and demonstration of the buildability of assembly. The award was sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), Republic of Ireland (C2) Centre aspirATion Chair funding, and local Architectural company O’Neill O’Malley (ONOM).
Keynote speaker Deputy Sean Canney, TD, presented arguments bringing the technology of architecture into focus with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, leading the construction industry into a new carbon-transparent built environment landscape, and The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022, both of which aim to help develop an accountable, future-proof, sustainable built environment landscape.
“Our BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology students at ATU Galway City and ATU Donegal are kept abreast on these issues. We are also delighted in our Department of Building and Civil Engineering at ATU Galway City to offer a range of specialised education and research postgraduate programmes which encompasses these new legislative requirements, so that best practice going forward in the construction industry can be informed by research,” says Irene Hayden, Conference Chair and lecturer in Architectural Technology.
“The three-day event gave us a unique opportunity to afford conversations and networking opportunities between Irish students and Irish and European alumni and academics alongside architectural technology professionals and Irish construction industry and professional body representatives. We shared ideas and solutions and were privileged to be presented the findings from 23 cutting edge architectural technology research outputs from across Ireland, England, Scotland, Denmark, and Spain.”
“Of the 23 papers presented on Friday (19 Jan) to delegates from Ireland, Scotland, England, Spain, and Denmark, the coveted Dr Niels Barrett Award for Best Conference Paper was awarded to Technological University Dubin (TUD) alumni Cal Henderson and Dr Malachy Mathews, for their paper entitled “Augmented Reality in Deconstruction: Assessing the Potential for Advancing Circular Methods”.
Speaking about his winning project TUD student Cal Henderson says: "This study explores the use of Augmented Reality (AR) technology as a tool during the deconstruction of buildings. AR overlays computer-generated models onto the real world, helping visualise hidden building elements, access data, and implement waste management plans on deconstruction sites. The research involved creating a physical prototype and simulating the deconstruction of a dwelling using Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) software. The study highlights the potential of AR in reducing Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste by improving material harvesting processes and implementing eco-conscious waste management plans. The proposed workflow involves using BIM and LCA software to gather environmental impact data, create a waste management plan and then visualize and implement it on-site using AR."
For information about ATU architectural technology programmes in Galway and Donegal campuses, please visit: https://www.gmit.ie/bachelor-of-science-honours-in-architectural-technology
https://www.lyit.ie/CourseDetails/D302/LY_CARCH_B/ArchitecturalTechnology
Regina Daly, Atlantic TU Communications
Tel: +353 (0)91 742826 Mob: +353 (0)879618355
regina.daly@atu.ie www.atu.ie/news
L to R: Emer Maughan, lecturer in Architectural Technology (AT), Irene Hayden, Conference Chair and AT lecturer, John O’Malley, Director O’Neill O’Malley Architects and judging panel, Charlie Lufniak, 1st year AT student, Emma Neale, 2nd year AT student, Fabricio Rocha, 1st year AT student, Emma Hayes, MCIAT Managing Director Digital Built Construct and judging panel, Mike O’Keefe Chairperson of CIAT Republic of Ireland (C2) Centre. Front row: Eddie Weir, President of CIAT and Principal Partner of Architectural Design Partnership and judging panel, and Lucas Goncalves, 3rd year ATU student.
Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President, Dr Malachy Mathews, Chair ICAT, Cal Henderson, winner of the Dr Neils Barrett Award for Best Conference Paper, Irene Hayden, Conference Chair and AT lecturer and Mary Rogers, Head of Dept of Building & Civil Engineering, ATU Galway city.