Architectural Metalwork – Special Projects
Has your team collaboratively forged an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind piece of metal furniture, a captivating public art installation, a highly unusual architectural feature, or another special project that truly defies conventional categorisation through its innovative use of metal and shared vision?
This is the definitive category for showcasing standout creativity, unparalleled skill in execution, and boundary-pushing mastery in bespoke architectural and artistic metalwork. It celebrates the fusion of artistic vision from designers and artists with the technical metalworking expertise of fabricators and engineers, resulting in unique and memorable pieces.
Who should nominate?
Artisans, sculptors, specialist fabricators, architects, designers, and engineers who have collaborated to create unique, non-standard architectural metalwork items, including but not limited to distinctive furniture, memorable public art, complex canopies, or other highly specialised and visually impactful metal features.
Eligibility & Key considerations
Your work on the nominated special project must have been completed or significantly progressed between 1st July 2023 and 30th June 2025.
The project must have been substantially created/fabricated by a business or individual based on the island of Ireland (final installed location can be outside Ireland).
Entries must focus on elements that include the originality and creative merit of the design concept, the mastery of advanced or traditional fabrication and finishing techniques employed, meticulous attention to detail, innate technical precision, genuine innovation in form or material use, and the overall impact and significance of the special project. The collaborative process that brought the vision to life should also be highlighted.
What the Judges are looking for
Originality, creativity, and artistic vision of the concept; Mastery and quality of the fabrication techniques and finish; Technical Execution and complexity involved in realising the design; Collaboration between artists, designers, engineers, and fabricators; Impact, innovation, and uniqueness of the final piece within its context.
Submission Requirements
- Nomination Type
- Business Name
- Project Title (e.g., “[Name of Sculpture/Installation/Piece]”)
- Project Location (if applicable, or where it was commissioned for)
- Project Team (Essential where available): Details of the Artist/Designer, Lead Fabricator, Structural Engineer (if involved), commissioning client/body, and any other key craftspeople or specialists who contributed.
- Project Summary (max 50 words) – capturing the essence of the unique piece.
- Full Project Description (max 1,000 words) – Tell us the story of the project. Include details such as delving into the inspiration, design development, materials chosen, fabrication methods (e.g., forging, advanced welding, CNC cutting), challenges encountered, and the artistic or functional intent.
- Why Should It Win? – Emphasise its creativity, craftsmanship, and unique contribution.
- Project Images (min 2, max 5 high-quality, from multiple perspectives, including close-ups of details and the overall piece in its setting if installed)
- Logo of Primary Nominee (PNG)
- Optional: Artist’s statement, design sketches, videos of the fabrication process or installed piece.
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