Merger means added strength Reddy O'Riordan Staehli
Sunday Business Post, Cork, 13th June 2004

For over 30 years, architectural firm Reddy O’Riordan Staehli (formerly O’Riordan Staehli) has made a strong visual impact on the cityscape of Cork.

Responsible for such landmark buildings as the eye-catching Mercy Hospital, Grenville Place, the colourful CABAS buildings at Blackrock, designed as a special needs school for children with autism, and the new student centre at University College Cork, these unique projects highlight the depth and creativity of the practice.

Donogh O’Riordan, who founded the practice in 1972, summed up the achievements of his firm in terms of its ability to “create buildings that please the eye”.

“It cannot be the fate of every building, particularly in the modern Irish urban environment, to be a much talked about iconic structure in a landmark location,” O’Riordan said. “The difference good architecture makes though sometimes dramatic, can other times be subtle.”

O’Riordan believes that one of the most pleasing projects he has worked on has been the rooftop extension to Cork College of Commerce on Morrison’s Island in the city centre. It succeeds precisely because you hardly notice it is there. Yet the architectural challenge posed by the need to extend this landmark structure was immense.

Never a practice to rest on its laurels, O’Riordan Staehli (ORSA) recently merged with Dublin firm Anthony Reddy Associates, a move that O’Riordan described as “a natural progression for both practices”.

“O’Riordan Staehli Architects (ROSA) in Cork expands the expertise of the new practice to encompass specialist areas of public and private work.

“This merger is particularly timely for RORSA, adding greater strength to the already thriving practice, particularly at a time when Cork is going through major Urban Renewal and the Docklands are about to be transmogrified as many docklands across the world have been in recent years,” O’Riordan said.

Recent Cork projects for the firm include the new Maternity Hospital at Wilton, which has recently been “unveiled”.

The scaffolding and dust cover have been removed, revealing a new face to Cork University Hospital, and the new student centre at UCC.

Coming on stream is the new St. John’s College, Woodies Retail Warehouse, Ballincollig Town Centre and other landmark buildings. ROSA, with the support of 120 professional staff, will be poised to remain perhaps the strongest architectural practice in Cork for many years to come.

Donogh O’Riordan will be managing director of the newly merged RORSA for two years. He will then become chairman for three years.

Directors Michael Regan and Tom Hegarty have been appointed managing directors designate.

Anthony Reddy, founder of ARA, will remain as managing director of ARA, and will be supported by directors Ronan Smith and Brian O’Neill.