As Hawkins\Brown embarks on Phase 1 of Parnell Cultural Quarter, Colin Mackay gives AT a first look inside the new centre for cultural exchange, and catches up with Colin Mackay, Partner at the Dublin office.

What are you working on at the moment?
We are working across a broad range of projects at the moment, and fortunately across all stages: One project of note is probably the first Phase of the Parnell Cultural Quarter which captures the New Dublin City Library and the significant refurbishment and upgrade to the Hugh Lane Gallery.

What are the biggest challenges facing Irish architecture and construction?
There are a number, however, I would venture that the biggest challenge of all is the status of the profession and the ever increasing squeeze on our relevance and impact.

And what are the most exciting opportunities?
This is a transitional moment in Ireland, and one where the profession should be thriving and taking advantage of the level of governmental investment. The level of commitment to large scale infrastructure projects is a huge shift in gear and provides a huge opportunity and in turn should galvanise and excite architects across Ireland.

What keeps you awake at night?
The constant hustle, which is the tightrope that we all walk.

The New Dublin City Library will cement Parnell Square’s status as a centre for cultural exchange, forming the northern anchor of Dublin’s civic spine. The project provides flexible, adaptable spaces that can be used by communities and schools from across the city. The design also proposes a new public plaza, extensive renovations of some Georgian terraced houses, and specialist works to the Hugh Lane Gallery, the world’s first public gallery of modern art.