About the Practice

Ryan W. Kennihan
Ryan studied architecture at Cornell University. Originally from Chicago, he has been based in Dublin, Ireland since 2002, establishing his practice in 2007. He has taught architecture at University of Navarra in Pamplona, the Porto Academy, University College Dublin and the Dublin School of Architecture at TU Dublin where he is currently a lecturer. He also has a great team of collaborators.
Ryan is a registered architect with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and Grade 3 Accredited in Architectural Conservation.
Collaborators
- Sorcha Maguire
- Emma Kavanagh
- Oisin Jacob
- Jarek Adamczuk
- Colin MacSuibhne
- Laura Carroll
- Ronan Costelloe
- Conor Horgan
- Elizabeth Gaynor
- Breffni Greene
- Matthew Webb
- Rachel Cribbin
- Andrew Burger
- Photography by
- Alice Clancy, Aisling McCoy and Shantanu Starick
Practice Statement
The practice is committed to the creation of careful and timeless architecture. Our buildings are designed with durability and permanence as primary objectives in order to make lasting and sustainable contributions to the lives of our clients and their communities.
Each project is a tailored response to the specific needs of individual clients. Our work is unified by a desire to create characterful buildings and beautiful spaces. We believe that any valuable architecture must arise from a close reading of its local context, culture, and history, thereby avoiding the contemporary trend towards superfluous form.
Our work extends across a wide range of scales, budgets and contexts, both in Ireland and internationally, yet we approach every project with the same dedication and meticulous attention to detail.
Awards
- Architectural Review 'New into Old' Award 2021
Highly Commended - Baltrasna House
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2021
Award - Best House - Baltrasna House
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2021
Award - Research in Practice
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2021
Commended - Shandon House
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2021
Highly Commended - Beach Road House
- Architectural Association of Ireland Awards 2021
Award - Beach Road House
- Architectural Association of Ireland Awards 2021
Special Mention - Shandon House
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2020
Highly Commended - Marino Park
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2020
Highly Commended - Kenilworth Park
- RIAI Awards 2018
Award for Best Extension - Catherine's Residence
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2016
Highly Commended - Bealalaw House
- Architectural Association of Ireland Awards 2014
Award - Vita House, Roscommon
- Architectural Association of Ireland Awards 2014
Award - Leagaun House
- Architectural Association of Ireland Awards 2014
Award - Harold's Cross House
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2014
Highly Commended in Best House Extension Category - Harold's Cross Road House
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2014
Highly Commended in Best House Category - Leagaun House
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2011
Winner of the Best Emerging Practice Award
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2011
Highly Commended for the Best Extension
- Architecture Association of Ireland 2011
Special Mention, Sallymount Terrace
- Royal Hibernian Academy Invited Exhibitioner
2009 Annual Show
- Royal Hibernian Academy Invited Exhibitioner
2011 Annual Show
- Henrietta Street Design Competition
August 2008, 1st Prize
- Opus Design and Construction Award 2007
Winner Best Building Under €1 million – St.Jude’s Residence
- Architecture Association of Ireland 2006
Special Mention – St. Jude’s Residence
- RIAI Annual Design Awards 2006
Special Mention – St. Jude’s Residence
Exhibitions
- Alternative Histories
Associated with Drawing Matter 2018 - 2020
Exhibited in London, Brussels and Dublin
- Venice Biennale, Main Exhibition
Central Pavilion, Giardini - 2018
- Royan Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition
Selected Exhibitioner – 2017
- New Horizon: Architecture from Ireland
Chicago Design Museum partner to the Chicago Architecture Biennial 2015
- Nine Lives
Design Museum, London Festival of Architecture 2015
National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny 2015
- Made
Group Exhibition, various locations in 2012
– Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast
– The Front Room, UCD Architecture
– Leitrim Culture Centre, Manorhamilton, Leitrim
- Royan Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition
Invited Exhibitioner – 2011
- Royan Hibernian Academy Annual Exhibition
Invited Exhibitioner – 2009
- Now What?
Workshop Exhibitions
Smithfield, Dublin – October 2009
- Henrietta Street Competition
Dublin City Hall and Dublin City Council – 2008
Selected Publications
- Alternative Histories : Exhibition Book
Published by the Drawing Matter Archive 2019
- Building Upon Building - Special edition of Forum Magazine 09 2015
An Extension to Dulwich Gallery
- New Horizon: Architecture from Ireland Zine
Practice Profile 2015
- A+D Architecture +Detail Issue 44
Leagaun House
- BD (Building Design)
London, August 16 2013 – Sallymount Terrace
London, April 20 2012 – Henrietta Street
- Image Interiors
Dublin, July/August 2013 – Sallymount Terrace
- Architecture Ireland
259 Dublin, Volume 5 2011 – Featured Practice
243 Dublin, December 2008 to January 2009 – Henrietta Street Competition
- Concept: International Magazine of Competitions
South Korea Nov. 2008 – Henrietta Street
- House RIAI Magazine
Ireland Summer 2007 – St. Jude’s Residence
- Irish Times
Henrietta Street Competition – October 23 2008
St. Jude’s Residence – April 19 2007
- Sunday Times
St. Jude’s Residence – May 17 2009
U2 Competition – February 23 2003
- Irish Architecture: RIAI Annual Review 2011–12
- Architectural Association of Ireland Awards
2011 – Sallymount Terrace
2007 – St. Jude’s Residence
- Smart Home Extensions
Links Books Barcelona, Spain – St. Jude’s Residence
- Building Material No. 10
Ireland – ‘On an Asylum’
