Grafton Architects was founded in Dublin in 1978 by Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell, taking its name from the city’s prominent thoroughfare. This practice has since gained international standing through the creation of weighty, spacious buildings, particularly within the higher education sector, where McNamara’s structural approach emphasizes the physical experience of supported mass and volume.
Architectural Philosophy and Practice
McNamara approaches design by prioritizing the creation of structures that inherently define space, rather than filling pre-existing volumes. Her work frequently utilizes concrete and stone to generate environments that encourage interaction. This methodology is visible in projects such as the Bocconi University building in Milan, completed in 2008, and the Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología in Lima, Peru, which earned the 2016 RIBA International Prize.
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Alongside her professional practice, McNamara has maintained a long-standing academic career. She began teaching at University College Dublin in 1976, shortly after graduating from the institution. Her pedagogical influence extends globally; she has held positions including the Kenzo Tange Chair at Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2010 and the Louis Kahn Chair at Yale University in 2011. She also became a professor at the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio in 2013.
Recognition and Professional Standing
The architectural contributions of Grafton Architects have been recognized with numerous accolades. McNamara and Farrell shared the 2020 Pritzker Architecture Prize, following their receipt of the 2015 Jane Drew Prize. The firm’s work on the Kingston University Town House secured the 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize. McNamara is a member of Aosdána and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Fast facts
- Born: 1952, Lisdoonvarna, Ireland
- Education: University College Dublin
- Firm: Grafton Architects
- Pritzker Architecture Prize: 2020
- Notable Work: UTEC campus, Lima
- Jane Drew Prize: 2015
- RIBA Stirling Prize: 2021
Questions readers ask
Which major awards has Shelley McNamara received?
She has received the Jane Drew Prize, the RIBA Stirling Prize, and the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
Where did Shelley McNamara complete her university studies?
She attended University College Dublin, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1974.
Achievements
- Pritzker Architecture Prize — 2020
- Notable work: UTEC campus
- Notable work: Palazzo Bocconi
- Affiliated with Grafton Architects
- Educated at University College Dublin
- Worked as architect
