JJ Campbell and Associates have been awarded the Overall Winner for the 42nd Annual Irish Concrete Society Awards for “Church of Oak Distillery”.
The design approach carefully integrates modern interventions within the existing fabric, with concrete playing a pivotal role in both structural performance and architectural expression.
The architectural fair-faced concrete which was meticulously designed and detailed by JJ Campbell and Associates , combined with a commitment to lower-carbon materials, highlights the material’s versatility—simultaneously enhancing the aesthetic language of the intervention while upholding sustainable principles. The result is a compelling dialogue between old and new, where materiality, texture, and form celebrate both the mill’s legacy and its contemporary rebirth.
The exposed concrete finish exemplifies a sensitive balance between contemporary sustainable construction and the preservation of the site’s rich industrial heritage.
The project showcases a refined palette of concrete finishes demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship while reinforcing the authenticity of the
historic structure. The jury particularly noted the seamless integration of concrete in preserving original building elements, ensuring continuity between past and present.
