Robert Bourke, Director of the Dublin-based practice Robert Bourke Architects joins Building and Architect of the Year Awards 2026 as one of the judges, bringing a design philosophy rooted in collaboration, material integrity, and a strong sense of place to one of Ireland's most rigorous architectural evaluation processes.

Bourke leads an award-winning studio with a track record across residential, civic, and educational buildings. The practice earned RIAI Best Emerging Practice recognition in 2014 and secured First Prize in the Irish Planning Awards Participatory Design Category, distinctions that reflect both the quality of its output and its commitment to design processes that engage communities and respond meaningfully to context.

Beyond practice, Bourke serves as a Design Fellow at the UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, a role that positions him at the intersection of live design thinking and the next generation of Irish architectural talent. His teaching reinforces the same values that define his built work: architecture that is socially conscious, environmentally responsible, and enduring in character.

That dual grounding in practice and academia equips Bourke with a rare perspective on the judging panel. He brings the ability to assess entries not only for technical execution and aesthetic ambition, but for the depth of thought, contextual sensitivity, and long-term responsibility that distinguish truly excellent architecture from the merely accomplished.

The Building and Architect of the Year Awards 2026 ceremony takes place on Thursday, 23rd April 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.

View the full shortlist, secure your seat for awards gala, and subscribe for updates and insights in our official awards website.