Belfast Stories, International Shortlisted Competition

Completed 2023, Fourth Place in collaboration with JMP, ARUP and Simon Ronan Landscape

The architectural vision for this entry for Belfast Stories is inspired by the ascent of Cave Hill—a journey from city streets through forested slopes, past the caves, and up to sweeping views over Belfast. This natural progression informs our proposal for the building’s concept: a constructed hillside within the city, offering a rich sequence of spatial experiences.

In a city shaped by many narratives, the hills surrounding Belfast offered us a unifying story—a shared geography that anchors identity and place. Literary references, from Jonathan Swift’s “Sleeping Giant” to C.S. Lewis’s childhood memories, reflect this enduring connection.

The building mirrors the terrain: solid, grounded forms house darker programmatic spaces like cinemas and exhibitions; lighter, more transparent layers wrap around circulation and gathering areas. Terraces, plateaus, and planted spaces recall the forests and clearings of Cave Hill, culminating in a tower-like element—an elevated room with panoramic views, completing the architectural journey.

Design Team:

Lead Architect: JMP

Local  / Design Architect: ALWA

Landscape Architect: Simon Ronan

Consulting Engineer: ARUP