OGU Director Dr Rachel O’Grady discusses DRIFT at Architecture Research Group Conference, Cork

Architecture Research Group Conference - Architecture in the Critical Zone

Dr Rachel O’Grady of OGU Architects recently presented at the All-Ireland Architecture Research Group (AIARG) Conference in Cork, hosted by the Cork Centre for Architectural Education.

The annual conference brings together architects, researchers and educators from across Ireland and internationally to share work that expands the role of architectural practice through research, design and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The AIARG conference provides a platform for research-led practice and critical discussion, exploring how architecture can respond to contemporary social, environmental and cultural challenges.

The 2026 conference, titled Architecture in the Critical Zone, focused on the relationship between architecture and the fragile systems that support life on earth, inviting contributions from a wide range of disciplines including architecture, ecology, art and engineering.

Hosted by the Cork Centre for Architectural Education, the event forms part of an ongoing national network supporting architectural research and knowledge exchange across practice and academia.

Rachel presented OGU’s ongoing research project DRIFT as part of the conference programme.

The talk explored how temporary, low-impact interventions can act as tools for testing ideas in the public realm, particularly in relation to water, access and civic space.

Positioned within a broader discussion on research-led practice, the presentation focused on how architectural projects can operate as live frameworks for engagement, participation and learning, extending beyond traditional built outcomes.

Research and Practice:

AIARG Annual Conference - Architecture in the critical zone

Participation in the conference reflects OGU’s ongoing commitment to research as an integral part of practice, informing work across public realm, placemaking and sustainable design.

Events such as AIARG provide an important forum for sharing ideas, testing methodologies and contributing to a wider conversation about the future role of architecture in society.

The presentation contributes to a growing body of work exploring how architecture can respond to environmental and social challenges through design research and collaboration.

By engaging with academic and professional audiences, the work continues to evolve through discussion, feedback and exchange, reinforcing the role of research in shaping more responsive and resilient urban environments.

Rachel’s Academic Profile link

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