Ireland’s first net zero energy supermarket has been named building of the year at the Building & Architect of the Year Awards 2026, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin. The gala ceremony, hosted by Colm O’Regan, drew 258 attendees and saw 23 trophies presented across a field of 105 entries, making it one of the most keenly contested editions in the awards programme’s eight-year history.The winning building, a Lidl Ireland store in Maynooth that opened in November 2025, features a 575 kWp rooftop solar PV system, more than two and a half times larger than a standard store installation. On-site battery storage can power the store for up to six hours, and overall energy consumption is 40 per cent lower than a standard Lidl outlet. The development also incorporates EV charging infrastructure, e-bike, scooter and cargo bike spaces, biodiversity-focused landscaping, green walls and rainwater harvesting systems.Ireland’s first net zero energy supermarket, a Lidl in Maynooth, features a 575 kWp rooftop solar PV systems, biodiversity-focused landscaping, green walls and rainwater harvesting systems. Photograph: Gareth Byrne The award was presented to SDS design engineers and their client Lidl Ireland. The judging panel described the collaboration between design and delivery teams as producing a landmark development. “With a strong focus on net zero principles it showcases what is possible when ambition and technical expertise align,” the award citation read.The Building & Architect of the Year Awards honour the creativity, craftsmanship and vision behind Ireland’s most compelling architectural projects, recognising how design and function come together to create spaces that enrich communities and elevate standards of living.DMVF Architects received the architectural practice award in recognition of consistent excellence across a diverse portfolio. The citation noted the firm’s emphasis on innovation, sustainability and functionality, describing its work as reflecting “a clear vision underpinned by technical expertise and attention to detail”.Chief executive Paul Sweetman of Stacked Group said his company is proud to support and sponsor the awards, recognising innovation and excellence across the industry. “The event brought professionals together, showcased best-in-class solutions, and continues to play an important role in driving standards and inspiring progress,” he said.The design concept award went to ACT for its Scotch House mixed-use project in Ballina, a scheme recognised for its circular approach to town centre regeneration. “For any architect on any scale you see the great range of projects at these awards,” said ACT director Tom Lindsay. “It’s great even just to see what’s going on in Ireland in architecture.”Swisspearl Ireland managing director Mike Norton said that sponsoring the awards reflected the company’s commitment to high-performance façade solutions and responsible manufacturing. “Strong partnerships with architects who shape resilient, beautiful buildings across Ireland inspire future generations,” Norton said.Mary O’Connell of award winner MRG Consulting Engineers praised the awards scheme as “a great benefit in terms of creating high standards for all the sector”. Hassett Leyden Flynn Architects received an award in relation to a housing scheme in Ennis. “It’s the second time we’ve been at the awards and it’s great to receive recognition, particularly for social impact,” said managing director Michael Flynn.Judging coordinator Britt Berentzen said the awards celebrate what thoughtful, well-executed design can achieve. “The projects honoured here show how innovation and commitment to sustainability can go hand in hand.”The outstanding contribution to architecture award was presented to Jan van Dijk, who co-founded van Dijk Architects (VDA) with Ingrid van Dijk in 1993. VDA is one of Ireland’s leading architectural practices, active across housing, education, healthcare, civic and commercial sectors. The citation praised van Dijk’s leadership of complex and award-winning projects, his contribution to architectural education, and his understanding of innovation and the commercial realities of development.“Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors,” said Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at awards organiser Business River. “We are thankful to our 2026 sponsors, Stacked Group and Swisspearl. I also want to recognise our supporter, Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”Awards sponsors and supporters Gold sponsorsStackedSwisspearlSupporterAmárach ResearchAwards judgesBritt Berentzen (judging coordinator), programme director, interior architecture and design, Griffith College DublinAnn-Marie Aguilar, head of EMEA region, IWBIRobert Bourke, director, Robert Bourke ArchitectsPatrick Flynn, head of school of architecture, building and environment, TU DublinMichael Frain, co-owner/director, Bright Design ArchitectsMike Haslam, director, Haslam & Co ArchitectsCiaran Hussey, managing director, Hussey ArchitectsDerry Kearney, partner, CundallAleksandar Kostic, architect and lecturer, South East Technological University (SETU)Barry James McCarron, managing director, Kore RetrofitSuzanne Moloney, senior architect, associate, Darmody ArchitectureJohann Muldoon, managing director, Manor ArchitectsMartina Murphy, senior lecturer, Ulster UniversityBrian O’Neill, company director, MCORM ArchitectsEmer O’Sullivan, director, Hussey ArchitectsLiam Ross, senior lecturer in architectural design, University of EdinburghMaeve Staunton, director, Staunton Henderson ArchitectsMichael Stiff, founder, Stiff+TrevillionLydia Szewczyk, manager, EMEA, International Well Building Institute (IWBI)Award winnersBuilding of the year Winner: SDS design engineers & Lidl Ireland - Ireland’s First Net Zero Energy SupermarketRay Byrne, group sales and marketing director at Stacked, presents the building of the year to Jack Fitzgerald and Danny Groarke, SDS design engineers and Lidl Ireland Architectural practice of the year (sponsored by Stacked) Winner: DMVF ArchitectsRay Byrne, group sales and marketing director at Stacked, presents the architectural practice of the year to the DMVF Architects team Design concept awardWinner: ACT - Scotch HousePatrick Flynn, awards judge, presents the design concept award to Tom Lindsay and Inna Stryzhak, ACT Building of the year – industrialWinner: Office of Public Works (design) and Reddy A+U (delivery) - Rosslare EuroPort Terminal 7Patrick Flynn, awards judge, presents the building of the year - industrial to Aideen Farrell, on behalf of Reddy A+U and Office of Public Works Building of the year – net zero/passive houseWinner: SDS design engineers and Lidl Ireland - Ireland’s First Net Zero Energy SupermarketMike Norton, MD, UK & Ireland at Swisspearl, presents the building of the year - net zero/passive house to Jack Fitzgerald and Danny Groarke, SDS Design Engineers & Lidl Ireland Building of the year – retailWinner: Healy Partners Architects - Keanes Jewellers LimerickPatrick Flynn, awards judge, presents the building of the year - retail to the Healy Partners Architects team Building of the year - medical & healthWinner: OCMA and KJA - University Hospital Limerick, Acute Inpatient Ward BlockPatrick Flynn, awards judge, presents the building of the year - medical & health to Victor Lowe, OCMA, and Kevin Jackson, KJA Building of the year – education (over €10m)Winner: Cotter & Naessens Architects - University of Limerick Students CentrePatrick Flynn, awards judge, presents the building of the year - educational (over 10m) to Louise Cotter, Cotter & Naessens Architects Building of the year – education (under €10m)Winner: MRG Consulting Engineers - Sacred Heart University Dingle Campus RedevelopmentMartina Murphy, awards judge, presents the building of the year - educational (under 10m) to Mary O'Connell, MRG Consulting Engineers Building of the year – publicWinner: MCOH Architects - Portlaoise LibraryMartina Murphy, awards judge, presents the building of the year - public to Conor Finnegan and Francis Carroll, MCOH Architects Building of the year - tourism, leisure & hospitalityWinner: Stephen Carr Architects - Hazel Tree Lodge BunclodyMartina Murphy, awards judge, presents the building of the year - tourism, leisure & hospitality to Brendan Roche, Stephen Carr Architects Building of the year – officeWinner: Henry J Lyons - The Shipping OfficeRay Byrne, group sales and marketing director at Stacked, presents the building of the year - office to Emma Graves and Andy Buchan, Henry J Lyons Building of the year – internationalWinner: Office of Public Works - Ireland’s Pavilion at Expo 2025, OsakaMartina Murphy, awards judge, presents the building of the year - international to Aideen Farrell, Office of Public Works Conservation award for a single building or developmentWinner: DMVF Architects - Parnell SquareMike Norton, MD, UK & Ireland at Swisspearl, presents the conservation award for a single building or development to Lisa McVeigh, DMVF Architects Sustainability award for a single building or development (sponsored by Swisspearl)Winner: Gottstein Architects - Vantage Business ParkMike Norton, MD, UK & Ireland at Swisspearl, presents the sustainability award for a single building or development to Ronan Costelloe, Gottstein Architects House extension refurbishmentWinner: Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects - On the BayPatrick Flynn, awards judge, presents the house extension refurbishment to Patrick Wheeler, Arigho Larmour Wheeler Architects Single house building of the yearWinner: Des Ewing Architects - Irish Countryside Home in CookstownPatrick Flynn, awards judge, presents the single house building of the year to Des Ewing, Des Ewing Architects Affordable/inclusive housing project of the yearWinner: Studiorogers Architects - Ross Street MewsMartina Murphy, awards judge, presents the affordable/inclusive housing project of the year to Sam Dill, Studiorogers Architects Building refurbishment for a single building or developmentWinner: NBK Architects - Weston Airport TerminalMartina Murphy, awards judge, presents the building refurbishment for a single building or development to Mark Whelan, NBK Architects Housing project of the yearWinner: Desiun Architects - Bóithrín na SaoirseRobert Bourke, awards judge, presents the housing project of the year to Mícheál de Siún, Desiun Architects Social impact awardWinner: Hassett Leyden Flynn - Clon Road and An tÁrd Housing Developments, Ennis, Co. ClareRobert Bourke, awards judge, presents the social impact award to Max Kraus, Hassett Leyden Flynn Rising star in architectureWinner: Barry Foote - Reddy A+U Robert Bourke, awards judge, presents the rising star in architecture to Barry Foote, Reddy A+U Outstanding contribution to architectureRecipient: Jan van DijkRobert Bourke, awards judge, presents the outstanding contribution to architecture to Jan van Dijk