Donegal graduate wins RIAI Scott Tallon Walker Student Excellence Award

Aidan Doherty of Carrick, a recent graduate of the ATU Sligo architecture programme, has been awarded the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Scott Tallon Walker Student Excellence Award for Architecture.

Doherty’s graduate project, titled “A Town Outside Time: Re‑designing Dementia Care,” draws on his family’s experience of dementia and aims to create a homely environment for residents with the condition. The RIAI citation jury praised the design as “thoughtful and nuanced” and highlighted its clear spatial hierarchy and opportunities for social interaction, family engagement and supported living.

The award marks the first time an ATU Sligo architecture student has won this prize. Doherty, a former student of Carrick Vocational School, is now employed full‑time by Cornerstone Associates, which has offices in Ardara and Letterkenny. He thanked his lecturers and fellow students for their support, describing national recognition as “a huge honour and an encouraging start to my career.”

Two other ATU students also received honours at the ceremony: Kian Moore of County Mayo earned a commendation for a project on architecture for young adults with autism, and Bushra Alhoni of Longford received two awards for her research and writing.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Garrison Gao / Pexels.