02
The Students. Meet the Class
MAEGAN BUCKLEY
Maegan completed her BScArch at CCAE in 2019, and then spent a year working in Cork City on both large-scale commercial projects and small residential & interior schemes. During the MArch Thesis year, Maegan expanded her design interests surrounding sustainable architectures through the speculative lens of The Female Gaze. Through the speculative gaze of a key figure in local Bantry history; Violet Bryce, her ideologies, writing desk and extensive collection of exotic curiosities shape the design explorations throughout the thesis. Embodying the lost legacy of Violet Bryce, the examination of her objects as artifacts or reincarnations of lost virtues form the building blocks of design.The idea of reclaiming or reforging a lost narrative, whilst remedying the surrounding environment of Bantry Bay became a design tool throughout the thesis. Throughout the year, Maegan has developed an expanse of technological skills, for example; exploring design through animated sequences, and is looking forward to exploring future possibilities in multi-disciplinary design.
ALI BURNS
Ali completed her BSc Arch at CCAE in 2019. That same year she moved to New York City to work for Bromley Caldari Architects, a firm specializing in High End Residential Architecture and Interior Design in Manhattan.
Returning to CCAE to complete her M.Arch degree in 2020, Ali teamed up with fellow MA student Maegan Buckley to further explore their interests in sustainable design, interior spaces and architecture history. Their thesis: 'Through Her Gaze; The Lost Authorship of Violet Bryce’ compares two island cultures through the speculative gaze of a key historical figure in West Cork - Violet Bryce. Their thesis aims to remediate the polluted waters of both islands through innovative design and the application of Bio-Architecture in Bantry Bay. Since completing her M.Arch in 2021, Ali has worked with NBBJ Architects in London and now works for Platt Dana Architects in New York City.
MUIREANN DOLAN
After completing her undergraduate degree in CCAE in 2018, Muireann worked in architecture offices located in Ireland, The Netherlands, and France. Between these firms, she acquired a strong basis for practical design before returning to Cork to complete the MA programme. Her thesis explores social, political, and geographical challenges that are associated with the peripheral islands of the west coast, namely Tory Island. Muireann is also keenly interested in material rejuvenation and sustainability, allowing for material traces to be deconstructed and exist within new compositions. She hopes to explore these themes and relationships in her work in the future.
CALUM GALLOGLEY
Originally from Youghal in Co. Cork, Calum came from a family orientated around the construction industry. Having completed his undergraduate degree in CCAE’s Copley Street in 2017 with a dissertation centred around biophilic architecture, he began working for Wilson Architecture as a Part I Architect. There he gained valuable experience in commercial and residential projects, played a role in design teams for both RIAI and international design competitions, as well as augmenting his digital knowledge and software skills. Upon acquiring three years of relevant experience he returned to CCAE in 2020, relocated to their Nano Nagle studios, to undertake his Master’s degree. Here he was allowed to expand on his interests of biophilic and endemic architecture, culminating in a thesis concentrated on these concepts. As a qualified Part II Architect he plans on returning to Wilson Architecture, hoping to explore further the prospects revealed within his studies.
KATIE HAMILTON
Having completed an undergraduate in Architecture in 2019, Katie moved to London where she gained valuable experience working on large scale commercial projects. Upon returning to complete her Masters, Katie explored the evolving role of the architect, by looking at sustainable design as a solution to the environmental crisis. The overall complexities of her shared thesis project were realised through a “learning through making” approach to design, and further developed by imagination and innovation.
LAURA HEALY
Laura completed her bachelor’s degree in architecture in CCAE in 2019. That same year she moved to New York City where she joined the talented team at Perkins Eastman. From Douglas Street to Fifth Avenue, Laura explored all aspects of design. Working for a large international practice gave her the opportunity to work as part of the design team on projects ranging from small scale residential/industrial projects in New York to master planning a self-sustaining town in Cairo, Egypt. She returned to CCAE to continue her education by completing a masters degree in architecture where she further explored her interests in art, critical theory and architecture.
BRIAN HAND
Brian completed his undergraduate degree from CCAE in 2018, and afterwards moved to Amsterdam, Netherland to garner practical experience within a built environment he much admires. There, Brian worked for two offices with diverse approaches to architecture, but with sustainability at the core of each. At Allard Architecture, Brian worked on conservation of urban canal houses, and at Elephant Studio (formerly TANK) focussed on revitalising stripped structural framework. This sense of working with existing structures, collaboration and mediation filtered into Brian’s thesis research, reading the island landscape through its existing pre-Christian and Christian era structures to reveal post-Christian sites, unearthing geometries of the island body through a lens of literary, historical and philosophical thinking. Throughout the year long study, Brian has developed a range of research strengths culminating in a strong academic interest in spatial theory and application.
Instagram @brianhandhand
ANTHONY KENIRY
Anthony completed his undergraduate degree in CCAE in 2017 after four years of developing interests in human-centric architecture and biophilic design. After this he worked in an office specialising in architectural conservation, building on an appreciation for architectural heritage stemming from observing work as a conservation carpenter. Anthony returned to education to further my understanding and appreciation for the built environment. Exploring his architectural interests around the importance of landscapes and environment as they relate to quality of life. Returning to practice, Anthony aims to apply the skills and knowledge learned in the programme in a professional capacity.
NEIL O'BRIEN
Having completed his undergraduate degree at CCAE in 2019, Neil worked in both Ireland and London before returning to complete the MA programme. Working with fellow MA student Fergal O'Connor during the course of this year, their thesis aims to explore the role of design as a tool for both philosophical and sociological change through the creation of new cultural narratives.
FERGAL O'CONNOR
KAREN O'DONOVAN
After completing her undergraduate degree at CCAE in 2019, Karen worked in Ireland and the Netherlands before returning to complete the MA programme. She has been heavily involved in a wide range of projects from modest small scale dwellings to more complex commercial, healthcare and retail projects and interiors. During her MA programme, Karen expanded her knowledge and interests in design, allowing nature and technology to be a huge driving force. The project was based on a post-industrial site, engulfed by its red by product, situated on an island on the Shannon Estuary, Aughinish island. As the project progressed it became futuristic and sometimes speculative which allowed her to stretch her mindset in design and art. She is keen to bring this forward in her future in Architecture.
JEAN O'DRISCOLL
Jean completed her B.Arch degree from CCAE in 2019, and has since gained valuable experience working for CCH Architects in Kilkenny, being heavily involved in residential & interior schemes. She took particular interest in conservation projects and concerning herself with sustainable design, which can have a large impact on our future. This M.Arch year, Jean developed her understanding of the living qualities of any design, from the microbial landscape to a design's temporal boundaries, and how architects and designers are best placed to leverage the life of a building to optimise its lived experience for all inhabitants. Entropy, dynamic chaos, and natural technologies became core themes to the thesis research leading to a project both concerned with the impact humanity has on the planet, and also how an Industrial landscape changes the lives of a small community in the West of Ireland. Jean has expanded her repertoire of technological know-how and developed an acute sense of the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to any project throughout the year and is keen to evolve more into the future.
CONOR O'SULLIVAN
After completing his undergraduate degree at CCAE in 2017, Conor moved to East London becoming a resident and member of an art collective and working giving architecture workshops in schools. Working directly with raw, natural materials is often at the core of Conor’s work. In London he created immersive environments using light and shadow with large-scale, geometric, site-specific bamboo installations. During the MA course he examined a revival of earthen architecture in Ireland and the fabrication and use of mycelium as a biomaterial. Conor’s thesis engages with the work of polymath Tim Robinson to create a programme drawing on our relations to our cultural and natural landscapes.
KEEVA O'SULLIVAN
Keeva completed her B.Arch degree from CCAE in 2019, after which she gained invaluable experience working in both Ireland and New York City working on an array of different architectural projects. Returning to CCAE to complete her M.Arch degree in 2020, Keeva’s design interests were focused on investigating a more sustainable approach to architecture by proposing the island of Inishark as an exploratory landscape where new design methodologies could be tested. Throughout the design process her approach was highly intuitive and resourceful, using household objects to construct her ideas through constant experimentation. Keeva has acquired a wide range of new technological skills throughout the year which she is eager to expand upon in the future as she works towards obtaining her Part III qualification.
JJ STACK
After showing a keen interest in construction & craft throughout his youth, JJ decided to pursue a career in architecture and began his studies in CCAE in 2013. Upon graduating he gained work experience in two offices, working on a variety of residential and commercial projects, before returning to CCAE to complete his masters degree in 2020. A catalyst for the work undertaken this year has been the importance of a connection to landscape, which he hopes to pursue further by travelling back to the islands visited during the fieldwork. JJ is looking forward to returning to work with Shipseybarry Architects and furthering his architectural experience.