黑洞社区

Why did you choose construction as a career?

I have five brothers but, from a young age, I was the one who helped dad build tree houses or anything else DIY-related at home. I loved maths and then, when I discovered engineering, the built environment felt like a natural fit.

At university (Trinity College, Dublin), I also had the most wonderful teacher,  Professor Perry, the dean of engineering. His enthusiasm was infectious but,  also, he was thrilled to have women in the class. In a class of 50 civil/structural engineers, we had 10 women, which was really something back then.   

What are you most proud of in your career to date?  

Probably Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in north-west Dublin. It was my first project after graduation, and where I found a love of being on site rather than at a desk.

We had an incredible team from the client through to the design team and all the subcontractor trades. It was well designed with a decent delivery programme which ensured a high-quality finish.

To this day I love being on the journey with a client and the development team from project conception through to completion.  

What has been the biggest challenge of your career to date?  

Balancing being a parent against the hours that our industry demands. My husband and I often joke that we need a family PA or else a personal CRM system to manage our work diaries, the kids鈥� schools and sporting activities, our own commitments and, of course, the very important 鈥渦s鈥� time!  

If you could change one thing about the industry, what would it be? 

Speculative Cat A office fit-outs 鈥� we don鈥檛 need them! I鈥檓 on a bit of a crusade against them because I have seen too many times how they are put in by default only to be ripped out again by incoming tenants.

This happens over and over in new-build and refurb and we believe there is a much better way, simply requiring thoughtful consideration and ensuring the technical expertise of the best team is available to prevent us following the default 鈥渟trip-out鈥� route every time.

We all need to do something about this because it should be an easy win for our industry as we try and mitigate our impact on the global environment.  

What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?  

That would have been from my mother: you have two ears and one mouth, use them in that proportion. 

Name your favourite building in the world?  

So many鈥� As a child though I remember being enthralled by the design features in Dublin鈥檚 Casino of Marino. Maybe because it鈥檚 the first that really inspired me, it鈥檚 also my favourite.

It was designed for James Caulfeild, the 1st Earl of Charlemont, by a Scottish architect, William Chambers. Caulfeild fell in love with the architecture of Italy and decided he needed a summer house in the grounds of his estate in Dublin. 

The building is just intriguing. From the outside it is completely deceptive, and people often assume it is a folly as it looks so small. However, it is actually deceptively spacious with 16 rooms over three floors. It also had other unique design features such as the chimneys and rainwater downpipes.  

Summer houses in Italy don鈥檛 have the climate challenges of an Irish summer so Chambers designed the chimneys on the roof to look like decorative urns and all rainwater pipes are hidden within the columns. Just fantastic. 

Which famous building do you most dislike?  

Staying in Dublin, it鈥檚 Liberty Hall. A true testament to the dreadful architecture that proliferated in the city and further afield in the 1970s. Liberty Hall sits on a majestic spot on the banks of the River Liffey overlooking the adjacent 18th-century Custom House designed by Gandon. Why, in the 1970s, we felt the need to create such monstrosities that were built for function rather than form, I will never understand.  

The buildings we create now are going to be around for many years, often long after we are gone. Time and thought needs to be afforded to the design and the environment in which the building will reside.  

Which famous building do you wish you had worked on?  

The reconstruction of Notre Dame cathedral following the fire in 2019. I was gutted when I saw the news of the fire. It鈥檚 a stunning building and I loved visiting it on trips to Paris and imagining what was hidden behind the barriers and gates. I can only imagine getting to be inside the hidden corners and vaults of the building and then also being a part of the team bringing it back to its former glory. I can鈥檛 wait to go back now that the work is finished.  

What single piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your profession? 

Listen and talk to the trades on site, learn from them. They have been at this a lot longer than you and have seen it all before.  

Who do you most admire in the construction industry?  

I don鈥檛 think I have a particular individual, more a group of people. I鈥檓 very practically minded so I would say I admire the ability of good architects or engineers to design something that not only answers a client鈥檚 needs but also produces something that is pleasing on the eye.

What is it like being you (and doing your job)?  

Busy, but then I love a deadline! The job has obviously changed over the years from being very much based on site and in the thick of it to a more management role with lots of paperwork. I still relish putting on the boots though and getting out on site. That鈥檚 where the real action is, after all.  

Do you have a life philosophy?  

Life鈥檚 too short, so do something you love and enjoy it.  

What do you think your best quality is?

Decision making. 

What trait do you most dislike in yourself?

Procrastination. 

And in other people? 

Being late. 

Name three things that you like  

Golf 鈥� I managed to get tickets in the annual St Andrews lottery this year and will be playing there for a few days in November.

A good glass of Saint 脡million 鈥� our wedding wine was from Saint 脡million and we spent a glorious afternoon with a friend who is a restaurateur eating and choosing the wine to match in the run-up to the day. The summer after the wedding, we took a driving trip down through France and visited the vineyard where the wine was made. As a result, it will always hold a special place.  

The cliff walks around Howth Head along Dublin Bay. Living in a city, getting away from it all can seem hard, but we are blessed to live in Howth where I can head out and take in breathtaking views over the sea in minutes with not a building in sight. 

Tell us about a secret skill that we don鈥檛 know you have  

I took up golf shortly after my kids were born. It鈥檚 a fantastic way to clear the mind, especially after a busy week. If your mind is on anything else except that little white ball, you will miss it.

This year, I won the Des Rea O鈥橩elly trophy at my local club, ironically named after the architect who designed the dreadful Liberty Hall. He was a past captain and long-time member of the club. 

What is your most prized possession?  

Our home. It鈥檚 an old Georgian townhouse which we originally purchased as two badly maintained flats. Over the past 20 years, it has grown and evolved to suit the lives and careers of my family and me and continues to do so. 

Early bird or night owl?  

Definitely a night owl 

What is your favourite food?  

I love tapas. There always seems to be so much more chat and banter over tapas. We often head out and have a night where we go to various local wine bars sampling something a little different in each, usually bumping into friends. 

What would your superpower be?  

Multi-presence. Imagine being able to be in two places at the same time 鈥� the classic, desired quality of a working-parent-cum-project-manager!