Niall McLaughlin Architects is a practice that designs high quality modern architecture. We put a strong emphasis on the inventive use of building materials, the qualities of light and the relationship between the building and its surroundings. We consider these issues to be more important than working in a particular style and hope that each project will be an original interpretation of the client, site, brief and budget.

This practice does not specialise in particular building types. We consider our specialism to be high quality architecture and enjoy having a broad range of projects in the office; from town master plans, to schools, health centres, community buildings, group housing, private residential houses, exhibitions, furniture and bandstands.

For us, practice is understood as a range of activities which are all necessary to each other – design of buildings, fittings and furniture; making buildings, installations and models; connecting speculation and practice, lecturing and writing about architecture; collaborations with craftsmen, artists and consultants.

We use a great range of materials in our building projects. We enjoy it most when we inventively combine traditional and new construction techniques. We relish unexpected juxtapositions. All of our designs are discussed with the makers, not just in terms of performance, but also as aesthetic propositions. A good builder generally has a good eye. The work shown here is less interested in the expression of technology by bolts, junctions and gaskets, more in the overall presence of a space. In particular the way in which materials alter space by modulating light; combing it, diffusing it, storing it, reflecting it, dulling it or changing its speed.