New Horizon takes 10 emerging Irish architecture practices and allocates them to one of three cities. The architects have to present key aspects of their work in a setting or installation specific to their site and host city.

New Horizon draws its inspiration from important thresholds in the history of contemporary Irish architecture. In 1991 eight practices working collaboratively as Group 91 won the master plan competition for Temple Bar in Dublin City Centre; born in the 1950s, several of these architects have gone on to significant international careers. Between Ireland’s initial Venice Pavilion in 2000 and the most recent in 2014, key architects of the generation born in the 1960s have represented Ireland with flair at the prestigious Venice Biennale International Exhibition of Architecture. The architects participating in New Horizon belong to the next generation. Born after the 1970s and educated on the cusp of the new millennium, they commenced practice as Europe’s economy encountered formidable challenges. These new practices have not only weathered that storm, they exhibit resourcefulness and optimism in their profession. Each has found a way to practice critically, to look at what exists in nature and the built environment, to discover potential in previously overlooked situations, to collaborate across disciplines and evolve new modes of practice for the 21st century.

The first outing of New Horizon in London is a collaboration between architects Clancy Moore, TAKA, Steve Larkin and Hall McKnight. They will erect two temporary structures at King’s Cross and host talks, performances and events with other talents in Irish design. Hall McKnight are building Yellow Pavillion, a structure that is sited in the southwest corner of Cubitt Square, whilst another larger structure, Red Pavillion by TAKA, Steve Larkin Architects and Clancy Moore Architects is sited at the square’s northern end.

Meanwhile, Emmett Scanlon‘s exhibition 9 Lives will be on display at Design Museum London. 9 Lives presents the work of the nine practices who make up New Horizon. The exhibition will be on display in the Design Museum Tank. The architects featured in the Tank are A2, AP+E, Clancy Moore, GKMP, Ryan Kennihan, Hall McKnight, Steve Larkin, TAKA and Urban Agency.

The month of activities involves emerging and established Irish and international architects, artists, designers and industry leaders. The programme presents creative collaborations with the British Council, Architecture Foundation London, the Design Museum, Irish Architecture Foundation, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Click here to learn more about the project, on the New Horizon website.

1 to 18 June at Lewis Cubitt Square, King’s Cross
A collaboration by architects Clancy Moore, TAKA, Steve Larkin and Hall McKnight. Two temporary structures at King’s Cross will play host to talks, performances and events with other emerging talent in contemporary Irish design culture.

1 to 28 June at Design Museum Tank
Emmett Scanlon’s Nine Lives tells the story of the design and occupation of nine workspaces, each of which has been designed by an emerging Irish architect. These activities will give a unique insight into the installation and the social lives of contemporary Ireland, and their relationships with architecture and design.

2 and 3 June from 10am to 5pm (2 June) and 10am to 7pm (3 June) at Vision in Olympia, Kensington
Irish Architecture – A Sense of Place and New Work by Irish Architects in the UK
Two exhibitions: An online exhibition of award-winning work by Irish architects and an exhibition of current work by Irish architects in the UK. Delivered by the RIAI.

7 Hands – Inspiring Craft from West Cork
A selection of the contemporary Irish craft from West Cork in glass, metal, greenwood, bog oak, clay and ceramics. Delivered by the RIAI.

Thursday 4 June at 6pm
Who’d be a Young Architect? At Lewis Cubitt Square, King Cross
Irish and London architects compare experiences at the start of their careers and we ask if now is a good time to be young in architecture. Panelists include Andrew Clancy of Clancy Moore Architects, one of the designers of the Red Pavilion in which this discussion is hosted. Alastair Hall from Hall McKnight, designers of the nearby Yellow Pavilion. Je Ahn is a Director of London-based Studio Weave. He has worked around the UK and recently in Ireland. Vicky Richardson is Director of Architecture, Design, Fashion, British Council and Ellis Woodman is Director of the Architecture Foundation London. In association with the British Council and the Architecture Foundation. Book here.

Sunday 7 June at 11am
Drop in Nine Lives Talk at Design Museum, Shad Thames
Emmett Scanlon talks about his work in New Horizon as an architect and curator of Nine Lives.

Tuesday 9 June at 6.30pm
RIAI – Irish Architecture Walks + Talks London at the Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, London School of Economics
Join Royal Gold Medal Winners, O’Donnell + Tuomey Architects, in a public interview with Kester Rattenburry at their multi award-winning LSE Student Centre. Delivered by the RIAI.

Friday 12 June at 7pm
Arrivals at Lewis Cubitt Square, King Cross
Some of latest generation of Irish in London working in design, visual arts & fashion discuss their current
practice and future horizons with Dylan Haskins, featuring Celestine Cooney (fashion director), Stephen McCarthy (lead designer for Gov.uk) & Sean Lynch (visual artist representing Ireland at Venice Biennale 2015).

Saturday 13 June at 11am
Of Clay and Wattles Made at Lewis Cubitt Square, King Cross
To coincide with the poet’s 150th birthday, architects read selected works by WB Yeats. In association with the British Council. Book here.

Sunday 14 June at 2pm
Drop in Nine Lives Talk at Design Museum, Shad Thames
Noel Bowler, photographer, talks about his participation in the Nine Lives exhibition as part of New Horizon.

Wednesday 17 June at 6.45pm
New Now Next at Design Museum, Shad Thames
Panel discussion with Hall McKnight, Clancy Moore, TAKA and Steve Larkin chaired by Olly Wainwright, Architecture and Design Critic, The Guardian. Delivered by the Irish Architecture Foundation and supported by Arup.  Fully Booked

Sunday 21 June at 11am
The Sunday Sketch at Design Museum, Shad Thames
A workshop for all abilities, exploring through drawing the theme of Nine Lives. Book here.

Tuesday 30 June at 6.30pm
We Built this City at Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Road
A lively panel discussion about the impact the Irish have on the physical and cultural development of London from historic to contemporary times. The panel includes Angela Brady from Brady Mallalieu Architects and a past president of RIBA, Dervilla Mitchell CBE from Arup, Niall McLaughlin from Niall McLaughlin Architects, Prof. Mary Hickman, research fellow at the Centre for Irish Studies Twickenham, Ultan Cowley, author of The Men Who Built Britain. We Built This City is presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation in collaboration with Irish Design 2015 and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Book here.