LAM Architects Wins Two National Awards for Transformative Redevelopment of Shelbourne Park Stadium

Monday 12 May 2025

Holywood-based architecture firm recognised at 2025 Irish Construction Excellence Awards for design and delivery excellence

LAM Architects, led by architect Tara Lamb, has received two national honours at the 2025 Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards for the practice’s work on the redevelopment of Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium in Dublin.

The firm was recognised for Architectural Design Excellence and Fit-Out Project of the Year, celebrating a project that reimagined one of Ireland’s oldest sporting venues into a vibrant, multi-use public destination, all delivered on a tight programme, within budget, and in a live racing environment.

Tara Lamb, who founded the practice in Holywood, Northern Ireland, is among a growing number of female architects leading complex, high-impact projects across the island. Her role as both a practice director and young mother in a traditionally male-dominated industry underscores the significance of this recognition, not just for the quality of the design, but for the representation it brings to the profession.

“This recognition was truly unexpected. As architects, we are involved from conception to completion, but it’s the challenges in between that define a project’s success. With Shelbourne Park, we were fortunate to work with a supportive client in Greyhound Racing Ireland and a proactive contractor in Grant Fit Out,” said Tara Lamb, Director of LAM Architects.

“To be recognised among such a high calibre of work is an honour. It also reinforces the value of diverse leadership in our industry, and I hope it signals to others that design excellence comes in many forms and from many voices.”

The project transformed a dated betting hall into a fully reimagined, flexible venue featuring a sports bar, café, lounge, conference space, and exhibition area, supporting year-round public use beyond race nights. It now stands as a benchmark for legacy venue regeneration, blending heritage sensitivity with bold architectural interventions.

You can watch a video of the project here.

Monday 12 May 2025