OGU Director Dr Rachel O’Grady joins Irish Architecture Foundation panel at New Life, Old Buildings – Future Heritage, Limerick

Irish Architecture Foundation Conference - New Life, Old Buildings

We are delighted to share that Dr Rachel O’Grady, co-director of OGU Architects and lecturer in architecture at Queen’s University Belfast, will be a panellist at New Life, Old Buildings in Limerick this September.

New Life, Old Buildings is the Irish Architecture Foundation’s national programme on the future of buildings that are already built. With a focus on the most sustainable resource of all – the existing city – the initiative challenges us to consider how Ireland’s architectural heritage can be reimagined as shared, adaptable and resilient spaces for contemporary life.

By bringing together communities, architects, policymakers and cultural voices, the 2025 programme explores how the people of Limerick envision their city, and how we can collectively shape inclusive places for culture, community and climate resilience.

This year’s programme includes walking tours, open table conversations, site visits and panel discussions in Limerick on 11 and 18 September, followed by online webinars on 23 and 24 October.

Rachel will join the “Storeys Retold: Heritage for the Future” panel on 18 September, presenting OGU’s award-winning work in conservation, placemaking and community buildings – from meanwhile uses and adaptive reuse to large-scale civic regeneration. Under her direction, OGU has transformed landmark sites such as 2 Royal Avenue and the Queen’s Quay Kiosk, working with more than 50 community and business groups across Belfast to unlock the potential of underused spaces.

Programme highlights include:

• 11 September – If These Walls Could Talk: guided tours, open table discussions, site visits and a panel on the consequences of demolition.

• 18 September – Built to be Lived: tours, community-led conversations, site visits and the panel discussion featuring Rachel O’Grady.

• 23 & 24 October – Online webinars: practical sessions on reusing vacant buildings and sharing lessons from the Limerick events.

Now in its third year, New Life, Old Buildings continues to strengthen networks of practitioners and communities committed to quality conservation, adaptive reuse and placemaking across Ireland.

📅 Rachel will join the panel discussions in Limerick on 18 September 2025.
🌐 View the full programme
🎟️ Book your place

Rachel’s Academic Profile link

Irish Architecture Foundation Instagram link