About the Practice
Practice History
Paul McAlister Architects create beautiful and sustainable spaces for living and working across Ireland and beyond. We specialise in Passive House (Passivhaus) design.
The practice was set up in 2002 by the practice director, Paul McAlister who qualified as a Chartered Architect in 1997. Paul has worked with Michael Aukett Architects in London and also in offices in Dublin and Belfast before establishing the practice in Portadown, Northern Ireland. Since its inception, the practice has grown steadily with the size and complexity of the projects increasing year by year. In 2008 the practice relocated to its current location, a sensitively converted rural stonework barn, on the outskirts of Portadown to accommodate an increased workload.
Today the practice has a breadth of experience from bespoke houses to a range of public sector and commercial work.
Video Introduction to Sustainable Design Principles by Paul McAlister Director
Sustainable Architects
The introduction of an environmental policy in 2007 marked a conscious decision to focus on ultra-low energy buildings and sustainable design. The fabric first, ultra-low energy, Passive House or Passivhaus approach was adopted as the best standard available. Passive house construction has remarkable energy efficiency and internal comfort levels. Its implementation requires attention to detail, quality control and craftsmanship on-site. It represents a new benchmark in building design and construction technology. The practice incorporates all or many of these low-carbon design principles into residential and commercial buildings. It continues to develop new services and skills in this field.
Paul McAlister is the first person in Northern Ireland to achieve the qualification ‘Certified European Passive House Designer’ with the Passive House Institute in Germany. Paul is also an authorised SAP energy rating Assessor through the Stroma Certification’s ABBE-approved scheme. He is actively involved in the Passive House Association of Ireland (PHAI) and lobbies for the adoption of more rigorous energy efficiency standards for buildings designed and constructed across Ireland.
Practice Philosophy
Our philosophy is to listen to and understand our client's needs and aspirations and to resolve them with pragmatic and elegant architectural solutions within an agreed budget. We believe that architecture should be more than just functional, but should also add intrinsic value through excellent design and sustainable principles. The goal of our work is to create architecture which has an innate sense of place and responds to its setting in a positive and inspirational way.
