Founded in 2001 and based in Cork, Carr Cotter Naessens Architects is an award-winning practice with a reputation for delivering thoughtful, context-responsive architecture across a wide range of briefs, scales, and settings. Their portfolio includes everything from rural houses to urban masterplans, all guided by a consistent design philosophy that prioritizes site-specific understanding, strong conceptual clarity, and attention to detail.
The practice brings together expertise in urban design, internal space planning, conservation (RIAI Grade 3 accredited), and project management. Their collaborative process, often involving trusted consultants, is key to producing integrated design solutions with high environmental performance. Built work is informed by design research, teaching, and success in architectural competitions—most notably dlrLexicon in Dún Laoghaire, the FOCAS Research Institute at TU Dublin, and Gardens International in Limerick.
Carr Cotter Naessens has twice been nominated for the EU Mies van der Rohe Award, and dlrLexicon received the RIBA International Excellence Award and multiple RIAI accolades. Their work was also featured in the Grafton Architects–curated exhibition Close Encounters at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale.