CJ Falconer Architects

22/10/2026

Great to see construction progressing on the new Kilmacthomas Fire Station at Graigueshoneen, Co. Waterford., with this recent drone footage provided by Building Contractor for the project, Conor Phelan Construction ().
 
Designed by CJ Falconer Architects for Waterford City and County Council (), the project is the latest in a number of fire station facilities delivered by our practice throughout the south-east in recent years.
 
The new single-storey station will provide modern operational, training and welfare facilities for 12 firefighters, and includes two appliance bays, locker rooms, showers, training rooms, and a drill tower. Located approximately one kilometre from Kilmacthomas, with access to the nearby N25, the facility will support the delivery of essential fire and emergency services across mid-County Waterford and the wider area.
 
Alongside the building and associated site works, the landscaping will incorporate a pollinator garden with wildflower grass to encourage local biodiversity. It’s wonderful to see the emerging building in these views, that will provide a purpose-designed base for the crews who serve and protect our communities.
 

30/09/2026

Great to see construction progress on the landmark development at Teagasc’s Moorepark Food Research Centre Campus, in Fermoy, Co. Cork. Being delivered by a CJ Falconer Architects-led design team, the project includes two new buildings being delivered in parallel on the research campus: a 1,579m² Animal and Grassland Laboratory building, with construction works being undertaken by ; and a 1,151m² Animal Metabolism building, with construction works being undertaken by Donnelly Civil Engineering Ltd..
 
Their design required careful siting among existing research and agricultural facilities, while allowing an existing laboratory to remain operational until staff can transfer to the new building. The new Laboratory building’s two-storey form brings sample processing into a planned sequence at ground level, with specialist analytical laboratories above, and an adjoining office and storage wing. Architectural design features include stone and corten steel cladding, and a reinforced concrete feature wall, setting a distinct, but complementary, identity to the building within the greater research campus. The new Animal Metabolism Building has been designed around the practical movement of animals, staff, and samples.
 
Many thanks to Conack for assembling and sharing the video.

17/09/2026

Having delivered the existing St. Martin’s Special School Building in 2017 – we are delighted to once again be acting as architects for the school, in the delivery of a significant new expansion – for which contracts were signed last Friday, with Building Contractor for the works, Suirside.
The new single-storey, multi-classroom extension will also comprise associated teaching spaces, toilet and shower / changing areas, a multi-activity room, and office, plant room and services compound.
External works will include adjustments to existing landscaping, towards the formation of new soft-play areas, a new sensory garden, and new hard and soft landscaping, as well as 16 new carparking spaces (including provision for electric vehicle charging locations), a new on-site road crossing on internal road network - the installation of solar photovoltaic panels to new extensions roof - and an extension to existing drop-off canopy and layby - and all associated site works and ancillary accommodation.
Pictured here (L-R) at the contract signing, which took place at the school itself, are:
Eadaoin Murphy (Deputy School Principal), Tracey Murphy (School Secretary), Fionagh Cuddy (School Principal), David O’Neill (School Chairman), Eddie Doherty (of Main Contractor, Suirside Construction), Derek McDonnell (of Nolan Construction Consultants - Quantity Surveyors for the project), and Colin Falconer & Gary Falconer (both of CJ Falconer Architects – Architects for the project).
Congratulations to all involved – including:
- St. Martin’s Special School (Client)
- Suirside (Main Building Contractor)
- CJ Falconer Architects (Architects & Project Managers)
- NOLAN CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS (Quantity Surveyors)
- CroCon Engineers (Civil & Structural Engineers)
- Geaney Engineering Consultants (Mechanical & Electrical Engineers)
- ORS (Fire Safety & Universal Access Consultants)
- TOBIN (PSDPs)

14/09/2026

We had a change of scenery last Friday, as the CJFA Social Club closed out the summer with a paddleboarding tour of Kilkenny along the River Nore – with Roger and David McClure of Riverbend Adventures Kayaking.

The tour gave us a ‘unique’ perspective on some of the Kilkenny’s architectural and engineering heritage, with close-up views of Green’s Bridge, John’s Bridge and the Carnegie Library, as well as Kilkenny Castle overlooking the river - among many other landmarks.


TeamBuildingAdventures OfficeEvents Wellness

01/07/2026

Today marks 40 years of CJFA.

Since being established on the 1st of July 1986, we have had the privilege of working with our clients, collaborators, and communities in the delivery of architecture that has shaped places across Ireland, and further. As we celebrate this milestone, we would like to thank everyone who has been part of our journey over the past four decades.

Forty years is not only an opportunity to reflect on where we have come from, but also to look ahead to the future - and over the coming weeks, we look forward to sharing more about how we are marking this significant anniversary.
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01/04/2026

CJFA APRIL FOOLS 2026: A New Attraction of Scale for Waterford: ‘Crystal’ (01st April)

We are delighted to reveal our design as lead architects for ‘The Crystal’ - the long-mooted attraction of scale on Waterford’s North Quays, and one of the most significant cultural infrastructure projects ever proposed for the South East region.
When you think of Paris, you think of the Eiffel Tower. When you think of Dublin, you think of the Spire. And when you think of Waterford, the first thing to come to mind is the blaa. Now it will be the blaa and ‘The Crystal’.

The Design:
Rising 120 metres from the North Quays riverfront, ‘The Crystal’ is a tapered observation tower clad in 6,000 individually faceted crystal glass panels that refract light across the River Suir from dawn to dusk. At its base, a glazed public pavilion will house an immersive visitor experience and a vibrant riverside public realm — connecting seamlessly with the newly completed Sustainable Transport Bridge.

Sustainability & Circular Design:
In keeping with our commitment to circular economy principles, the facade will incorporate donated crystal from the people of Waterford City and County. We are formally requesting that residents check their display cabinets, china dressers, and attic boxes. Every vase, every wedding present gathering dust since 1987 - it has a home now. It has a purpose. It will also be visible as far away as Kilkenny.

Planning submission anticipated Q3 2026.
Happy April Fools’ Day from everyone at CJFA💎

28/01/2026

A selection of previously completed, and in-progress apartment projects by C.J. Falconer & Associates.

From early feasibility through to planning and delivery, we work with clients to bring forward high-quality residential schemes that respond to their context, and provide lasting value for residents and neighbourhoods - by designing homes centred on the everyday needs of residents, creating dwellings that support long-term living, and nurturing community by embedding a strong sense of place.

Across a range of scales and settings, our designs balance light, layout, materiality, amenity, and sustainability, with the practical realities of planning and construction - and we welcome conversations with those planning new apartment developments, mixed-use schemes, or residential-led regeneration projects.

13/01/2026

C.J. Falconer & Associates have been delivering a number of Fire Station facilities throughout the south-east in recent years - with the most recent of these being a new €2.93m, 2-bay station in Kilmacthomas, Waterford, which is now proceeding to construction. The project will provide crucial services for the mid-County Waterford area, and further - and, in addition to the vehicle bays, the project will include locker rooms, showers, training rooms, drill tower, and provide modern facilities for 12 firefighters to be based in the building.

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/waterford/news/new-239m-fire-station-in-waterford-gets-go-ahead/a1078923080.html

A new fire station for Kilmacthomas village in mid Waterford has been given the go-ahead, following a government announcement on Monday.

19/12/2025

We are delighted to see the Residential Redevelopment of Chairman's Arch, Cathedral Square, Waterford - which C.J. Falconer & Associates delivered with Waterford City and County Council - be selected as part of 100 exemplar housing projects included in the RIAI's new publication: 'New Housing 3'.

The publication is a fantastic resource for all involved in the delivery of housing in Ireland - and demonstrates innovative thinking and approaches to delivering lasting, quality designed housing solutions in Ireland.

Congratulations to all those who have been included in the publication, and to this who work on assembling the collection.

19/12/2025

We are delighted to continue to deliver new school accommodation nationwide, as part of ABM Contractors' Design & Build Team for a number of projects - including the recently completed Harold’s Cross Educate Together National School (ETNS), in Dublin 6W - which was handed over on the 27th of November 2025, and facilitated the commencement of classes in the school's new building from the following Monday, the 1st of December.

This ETNS school is the first phase of a larger education campus being built by ABM for the Department of Education and Youth - for which CJFA is also a member of the ABM D&B Design Team, and working on the delivery of new Harold’s Cross Educate Together Secondary School (ETSS) also to be delivered on the new campus site, and due to be handed over on a phased basis in 2026.

The Harold's Cross ETNS element included the design and build of a two-storey building with 16 classrooms, 2 special education needs units, a general-purpose hall, staff rooms, toilets and other student and staff facilities across a floor plan 3,308 square metres. The site, which was previously the grounds of the Harold’s Cross greyhound stadium, required the demolition of the existing structures prior to the commencement of the build.

Architectural details include a feature bevel brick detail band to the façade, along with custom coloured profile fins to fenestration, a green roof, and external teaching facilitates - including an 'outdoor classroom'/event space, school garden, and sensory garden.

Also included within the development were external facilities such as vehicular drop-off areas, accessible vehicle areas, pedestrian crossings, bike storage, hard and soft play areas, outdoor seating, and a new entrance gate.

Photography by: Michael Conlon Photography