The exhibition of entries submitted to the Engineers Ireland Design Competition, 'Cork 2101 – An Engineer Imagines', was run in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Cork Region.

Chair of Engineers Ireland Cork, Valerie Fenton expressed her delight with the variety and quality of entrants, noting “our expert judging panel are confident that the creativity and innovation on display in this exhibition will showcase how Engineers will be pivotal in developing the solutions to the challenges that will face our city, county and society into the future”.

The shortlisted entries were received from internationally renowned engineering firms, Cork headquartered engineering consultancies and teams of collaborating engineers.

The competition winners were announced at the opening and prize giving ceremony as Sweco Ireland in third place, Mott McDonald Engineering in second place, with Arup Engineering taking the first place prize and winner’s cheque of €5,000.

Sustainability was a strong theme across all the entries on display with some novel approaches to transport, flood management, housing and energy.

Valerie Fenton described the winning entry as having “a clear presentation and vision of a network of blue – green corridors for amenity and connectivity while celebrating the riverside location and heritage of the city, which appealed to the judges”.

A dedicated student category design competition, for a new Lee or harbour crossing, was held in tandem, with the winners of this competition also on display.

Fenton acknowledged the importance of this dimension to competition, which she says “is a recognition of the proud tradition of Cork in the training of engineers”.

She also has expressed her hope that “this design competition may offer an insight to younger people, who may be considering a career in engineering, on the creativity that is encouraged in both the undergraduate training and postgraduate career of an engineer”.

Following the success of the competition with the engineering community in Cork, the exhibition offered the public the opportunity to engage with the shortlisted entries and to critique the proposals mixed with crystal ball gazing. 

Fenton added: “A primary objective of the competition was to initiate discussion on the future and to stimulate debate with a longer-term focus on what we want for Cork and how engineers can help shape and realise that vision.”