This newly constructed interpretive and broadcasting centre, located near Belfast City Centre, serves as the headquarters for Raidió Fáilte, Belfast’s only Irish speaking radio station. In addition to broadcasting and recording studios, the building also serves the local community and tourism sector, offering exhibition spaces, an archive, office and conference facilities, a café, and a retail shop.
The project has received a number of awards including an RSUA Regional Award 2019, an RSUA Design Award 2019, RICS Community Benefit Award 2019 and BDA National Brick Award.
The building created a material presence in what was a former bonfire site, re-introducing the urban scale and returning ‘front door’ activity to Divis Street. Brick was the material of choice, a nod to the ‘Belfast brick’ of the surrounding buildings. The need for unsightly roller shutters was avoided using voided brick and gold coloured aluminium screens perforated with verses of poetry.
Today, the building stands as a prominent landmark along the bustling Westlink junction, contributing to the vibrant urban landscape of Belfast.