RCSI’s Project Connect has been announced by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) as the runner-up in the 'Public Choice' category at the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards 2026 , recognising it as one of Ireland’s favourite buildings.

This landmark development at 118 St Stephen’s Green, designed by Henry J Lyons Architects, is a major new education, research and public engagement facility that redefines RCSI’s more than 200-year presence on St Stephen’s Green.

The €95 million development provides a new front door to the RCSI campus. At the heart of the building is Humanarium, a first-of-its-kind free space dedicated to health and well-being. Through a rolling programme of exhibitions and events, Humanarium encourages the public to join conversations about how to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor of RCSI, said: "We are delighted that 118 St Stephen’s Green has been recognised by the public through the RIAI Public Choice Awards. This building represents much more than a physical development; it is a place where education, research and public engagement come together to advance human health and well-being.

"Since 1784, RCSI has adapted, evolved and led in response to national and international health needs. The facilities at 118 St Stephen’s Green continue that tradition, supporting our clinicians, educators, students and researchers to tackle real-world health challenges. Being acknowledged alongside some of Ireland's finest architectural projects is a testament to the vision and collaboration that made this project possible."

The facility is connected to 26 York Street, which previously won the RIAI Public Choice Award in 2018, by an interlinking bridge. This key design feature has created additional, flexible space for the approximately 3,000 students and staff who use the campus every day for study, work and extracurricular activities.

This eight-story building provides modern, flexible, small group learning spaces and collaborative teaching environments, transforming the student experience of the St Stephen’s Green campus. The teaching facilities include state-of-the-art technology learning infrastructure that supports the delivery of postgraduate education to healthcare professionals globally.

118 St Stephen’s Green provides advanced research laboratory spaces and write-up areas which will accelerate interdisciplinary and translational research outputs in neurology and tissue engineering, supporting discoveries that improve outcomes for patients.

The build was supported by funding from the European Investment Bank and AIB. The project construction and design team included Henry J Lyons Architects, Bennett Construction Ltd, Linesight Quantity Surveyors, OCSC Consulting Engineers and Axis Mechanical & Electrical Engineers.