Cathal Quinn
Cathal Quinn
Management Team
Bernie Moloney
Bernie Moloney
Management Team
Mark Killeen
Mark Killeen
Management Team
Richie McAllister
Richie McAllister
Jane Earley
Jane Earley
John Buckley
John Buckley
Iwona Quinn
Iwona Quinn
Rafal Zakrzewski
Rafal Zakrzewski
Darren Feldon
Darren Feldon
Nayara Silvestre
Nayara Silvestre
John Quinn
John Quinn

Our Story

Quinn Architects has its genesis in 1951 when Charles J. Quinn established his practice at 86 O’Connell Street in Limerick City

Charles quickly established a reputation for contemporary design and when the prestigious Todds department store was destroyed by fire in August 1959, Charles was commissioned to design the new flagship store at the heart of Limerick’s shopping district. Charles developed a wide Client base particularly in the Education sector and with Religious orders.

Charles was joined by his son John in 1971. Recently returned from a year working in Kyoto, Japan, John brought fresh energy and innovative ideas visible in several Schools projects built across Ireland including the Catherine McAuley Special Needs School and the Library at Mary Immaculate College.

The practice merged into a partnership with two other local architects in 1984 and began trading as Quinn Savage Smyth Architects. Notable developments included three Student Villages at the University of Limerick, the Nursing Home & Hospice for Milford Care Centre as well as the new roof to Heuston Station in Dublin.

In 2003, John’s son Cathal returned to Limerick after working in Poland and the USA. Now in its third generation, the practice rebranded as Quinn Architects in 2012 and has continues to set high standards of design in the Commercial, Healthcare and Education sectors.

Key to the practice’s success is its collaborative approach and to this end, the practice has invested heavily in new technologies, embracing BIM which allows us to develop concepts in three dimensions and progress the design with other disciplines in an integrated way to ensure the smooth delivery of projects once they move to construction stage.

Our Expertise

At Quinn Architects our approach to architecture is both detail orientated and collaborative. As our client you are involved and kept up to date throughout all stages of your project. Your needs as well as construction industry trends are considered to help us achieve high quality architectural design and provide an excellent architectural service from early design conception through to completion.

Our studio team ensure that the design and technical solutions evolve through Research, Exploration, Analysis, Understanding and Collaboration with all concerned to deliver great design solutions.

With extensive experience in fit-out projects, we pride ourselves in the methodical and logical design approach we take in transforming existing spaces to maximise their potential. We offer full fit-out services from help defining the brief, initial feasibility and compliance reports, re-organisation of internal layouts to meet clients’ needs through to the finer details of interior design.

Our approach to Interior design is to create a connection with the context through appropriate consideration of space, colour, tones, textures, materials, furniture, lighting and architectural graphics to enhance the interior environment. In order to achieve this we pay particular attention to the detail. Everything from the skirting boards, architraves, door panels, door handles to the type of light switch are carefully considered to ensure that the space is transformed and full of life. Our interior design work is inspired by nature, art and the world around us and our goal is to inspire our Clients with the completed project.

We offer a feasibility study service for a wide range of projects from one-off housing projects through to large scale campus projects with a high level of experienced assessment to identify the potential of a site. This study will provide a considered evaluation of all the key aspects of a potential project. These include analysis of site potential, design opportunities, planning opportunities and associated risks, timescales and the likely building costs of the proposed works. We recognise that the study is a means to an end, and we aim to produce a document that is a useful tool to our clients, one to guide you through the next stages of your project.

Having gained vast experience of the planning process with a large range of local authorities, we are confident in the preparation and lodgement of planning applications to meet both the project brief and align with local design guidelines as set out in the relevant County Development & Local Area Plans. We recognise that a planning application requires more than a good design proposal with attention to detail, early and clear communication with the local authority and a strong knowledge of planning legislation all helping to make this process as smooth and efficient as possible. We provide clarity, expertise and support to our clients throughout all planning stages including the appeals process should this be required.

Should your project require a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) and Disability Access Certificate (DAC), we can prepare and lodge all relevant drawings and documentation to the local authority to obtain such certification. Our team is qualified and experienced in delivering this service which will identify all fire safety and disability access requirements to comply with the latest Building Regulations while seamlessly integrating these into a strong architectural design.

We have considerable expertise in master planning and urban design in a wide range of scales. This service provides a foundation for smart future development through a collaborative architectural approach considering the wider and longer-term design & development opportunities. We pride ourselves in exploring various options which may not be obvious from the outset to ensure the best solution is proposed to our clients following detailed analysis of all elements which inform & influence future development.
As part of the Building Control Regulations there is an obligation for the building owner to appoint a competent person to act as an Assigned Certifier whose responsibility it is to inspect the works, co-ordinate the inspection activities of others during construction and to certify the works on completion. The role of Assigned Certifier does not include responsibility for the supervision of any builder. We offer this role as part of our standard service.
The PSDP – Project Supervisor Design Process is appointed by the Client to oversee the design elements of the project. The primary function is to focus on the principles of prevention during the design stage by identifying hazards and eliminating them or mitigate the risk prior to the start of construction. While also ensuring that the work of other consultant designers is co-ordinated, and that Design Risk Assessments are prepared, we also prepare the Preliminary Health and Safety Plan where required and issue it as part of the tender documents. On completion of the project, we will co-ordinate the compilation of the Safety File and issue it to the Client. We have extensive experience and competency to carry out this role and offer it as part of our service for suitable projects.

Information coming soon

Information coming soon

Project Manager is a role we regularly and confidently provide for projects in our office. We have a good reputation for taking a collaborative approach at both design and construction stages.  We take pride in our leadership and management skills of guide both Design Team and appointed Contractors through a co-ordinated and efficient design and delivery process for our Clients.  

The Building Control Amendment Regulations came into force in 2014, their aim is to ensure that buildings and building works are designed and constructed in accordance with the relevant Building Regulations. Building owners, Designers and Builders must adhere to this legal requirement.

In summary they require that drawings that comply with the requirements of the building regulations are prepared and submitted to the relevant building control authority at commencement stage of the project. An inspection plan is prepared that will set out the areas of the development that will be inspected when the project commences on site. Signed mandatory certificates of compliance by the designers prior to construction will be submitted and similar certifications together with the final inspection plan will be submitted on completion.

Manging this process at site stage is complex and requires the robust set of Quality Control Procedures that we have in place to be implemented to ensure compliance at all stages. At site stage the main Contractor must issue Technical Submittals on all products used and these documents must be reviewed, checked for compliance and recorded. A schedule of site inspections of the works at various progress stages will be carried out by the Ancillary Certifiers, non-compliant works to be identified and resolved by the Contractors. All inspections will be recorded in the final inspection plan which will be submitted together with signed Certificates of Compliance on Completion to the Building Control Management System (BCMS) with the application for a Completion Certificate at the end of the project.

We have extensive experience of successfully managing this process on a wide range of projects. We use a software data-based system that allows us to digitally record on a phone or tablet the exact location of a site issue on a drawing with linked photos that will input directly into the Inspection Plan. The Inspection report that is generated by the software is issued to the Contractor, once the issue is resolved they simply access the inspection plan and add a description and photos of the remedial action taken and submit to the Assigned Certifier for review and confirmation of close out. This is a rigorous quality control system that tracks all site issues and their resolution and assists in delivering a compliant development to our Clients.

Our Clients Include

What Our Clients Say

Our Quality Policy

Quinn Architects is a progressive architectural practice based in Limerick city.  Our overriding aim is to strive for excellence in design and quality in delivering our service to our clients.  We believe that each and every project is unique and we treat each and every project accordingly.

Quinn Architects strives to design buildings that are sensitive to the psychological as well as the functional needs of the building users. We take great care to consider the small details that improve the quality of the built environment. We are committed to achieving and maintaining conformity with ISO 9001:2015

To support these values we make the following key commitments:

  • To implement our Quality Management System to ensure high standards of practice at every level;
  • To continually improve the effectiveness of our Quality Management System, internal processes and the services we offer our clients by setting ourselves challenging improvement objectives and providing resources to achieve these goals;
  • To provide progressive solutions and continually enhance our expertise by knowledge of current developments in design and technology and by implementing an expanding programme of continuing professional development;
  • To work as a team with our clients, co-consultants, contractors as well as joint venturing to allow us to incorporate the input of focused specialist advice by acknowledged experts;
  • To maintain good communication with our clients and other project stakeholders through all stages of a project;
  • To provide cost effective solutions to our clients and to deliver our projects within the approved project budget;
  • To deliver our services within agreed timelines and to adhere to the agreed programme at all project stages;
  • To keep abreast of changes in legislation and best practice through regular updates by the RIAI and other professional bodies;
  • To design buildings that are sustainable in terms of energy and resource efficiency as well as materials of construction

Signed,

Quinn Architects Management Team