International Architectural Technology academics and students from colleges across Ireland gather in ATU for 10th Conference (18, 19 & 20 January)

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is hosting the 10th International Congress on Architectural Technology (ICAT) Conference this week (18, 19 & 20 January) at its Galway (Dublin Road) campus. The conference theme “Architectural Technology Transformation” will see students, academics, and industry professionals from across Europe and beyond sharing ideas and learning about the developments in the profession of Architectural Technology. 

Students from Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Ulster University (UU) and ATU’s Galway and Donegal campuses among others will join academic and industry representatives from Denmark’s UCL University College, Spain’s University of Alicante, Scotland’s Robert Gordon University (RGU), the United Kingdom’s Salford University and Northern Ireland’s South West College along with lecturers from ATU, UU, TU Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, to learn about the developments in the profession of Architectural Technology. 

Day one is an Architectural Technology student event which has awards sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), Republic of Ireland (C2) Centre aspirATion Group and local Architectural company O’Neill O’Malley (ONOM), with lunch sponsored by Unilin Insulation. Day two is an all-day conference and day three is a guided walking tour of contemporary to medieval architecture in Galway City, followed by lunch.

Eddie Weir PCIAT, President of CIAT, says: “I am delighted and looking forward to attending the International Congress on Architectural Technology at ATU Galway in my capacity of CIAT President. The built environment plays a crucial role in how people understand and value the world around them and the essential pivotal discipline of Architectural Technology is at the centre of this. I look forward to meeting those who are transforming the built environment with their forward-thinking initiatives on Architectural Technology. What a fabulous time to be an architectural technologist.”

Irene Hayden, ICAT 2024 Conference Chair, lecturer and conference organiser, ATU Department of Building & Civil Engineering, ATU School of Engineering, says: “The annual conference run by the International Congress on Architectural Technology provides opportunities for educators, researchers and industry representatives, and the next generation of built environment students and professionals, to showcase where their influence is transforming the built environment through novel ideas, businesses, leadership, innovation, digital transformation, research and development.”

The student event on the first day, Thursday 18 January, will see Ireland’s top Architectural Technology students work in groups (teams of six) all day to develop a detailed project and presentation as part of the inaugural national student competition in consultation with CIAT and ONOM for Best Application of Sustainable Materials, Best Demonstration of Buildability of Assembly and Overall Winner. Judges are Eddie Weir PCIAT, President of CIAT, Emma Hayes MCIAT, David McGourty ACIAT, John O’Malley, ONOM Architects and Karol Dempsey MCIAT, ATU and CIAT Republic of Ireland (C2) Centre aspirATion Chair. Winners will be announced at the end of the day.

On the second day, Friday 19 January, the Congress will showcase new and emerging research within the discipline of Architectural Technology worldwide and to publish the results for the benefit of society. A best paper award will be announced at the end of the conference proceedings.

Irene Hayden explains the Congress ethos which is that the research it initiates and disseminates “must be independent of political, economic, and ideological interests as well as dominating influence from organisations, and institutions. It is the firm belief of the Congress board that true development on behalf of society is a result of free debate and presentation of different views and perspectives. As a means to encourage research and scholarship within the field of Architectural Technology, the Congress facilitates regular conferences and secures publishing of the conference proceedings.”

International authors this year have researched topics across many areas, demonstrating the next evolution of architectural technology transformation. Presenters and attendees are excited to learn about new uses of technology in conservation architecture, building material passports for the circular economy, enhanced fire evacuation opportunities, augmented reality applications for deconstruction surveys, sustainable material choices, as-built monitoring of design choices to reduce service loads, flooding mitigation using blue-green roofs, as-built moisture monitoring and control of building fabrics, fabric first approach options for deep retrofits, Enerphit, and Passivhaus projects, and the use of artificial intelligence to do just that, to name just a few research topics showcased this year.

Mary Rogers, Head of Dept of Building & Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, says: “We are delighted to host ICAT and honoured to have the support of so many prestigious international academic organisations and professional partners. The theme of this year’s event “Architectural Technology Transformation” is most timely, given the rapid developments globally in sustainability, digitisation, artificial intelligence and new methods of construction. I would like to acknowledge the contributions of Irene Hayden, ATU Galway, for the organisation of this event and also the event sponsors, the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technology (CIAT) and O’Neill O’Malley (ONOM).

For further information about this event please refer to the conference website https://www.gmit.ie/icat-2024 Day two and day three events are open to the general public. Tickets are free for the day two event. All tickets must be purchased before each event through the Eventbrite Page https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/icat-2024-the-10th-international-congress-on-architectural-technology-tickets-753128988077?aff=oddtdtcreator 

For details on ATU Architectural Technology programmes at ATU Galway City, please visit: https://www.gmit.ie/bachelor-of-science-honours-in-architectural-technology and at ATU Donegal, please visit: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