Local Architect Celebrates Green Glory
An Omagh-based chartered architect has won a highly prestigious international award in recognition of his environment friendly cost effective building initiatives.
Barry Gallagher competed against more than 200 other nominations in the Green Apple Awards for the Built Environment & Architectural Heritage, and was presented with his trophy and certificate for the ‘Zero Home System’ project at a glittering presentation ceremony in Empire Casino, Leicester Square in London.
The trophy is a magnificent silver plated trowel while the award affords him the right to use the acclaimed Green Apple logo on his Zero Home System literature and correspondence.
A building expert, Mr Gallagher was educated at the former St Colman’s secondary school in Strabane and went on study in Hull School of Architecture. He has been involved in numerous projects throughout Tyrone and further afield including public buildings such as Health Care Centres as well as car showrooms, businesses and houses.
As a result of this success, he has been invited to apply for the top global honour of a Green World Award and his winning paper has been published in ‘The Green Book’ (the leading international work of reference on environmental best practice) so that others around the world can follow his example and learn from his achievement.
He can also progress to represent his country in the European Business Awards for the Environment.
The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and have become established as the major recognition for the environmental endeavour among companies, councils, communities and countries.
The awards are organised by The Green Organisation which is dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.
Speaking to the Ulster Herald, Mr Gallagher said, “It is great to get this recognition. The award is for work that has been researched and developed over a number of years.
“My target was to show that if we use a using existing supply trains, existing skills and methods for construction and modify and development it to match with renewable energies thereby creating near zero running costs in homes to make them affordable, whole of life, robust and adaptable. I proved that is being done with Zero Home System which greatly impressed the judges.”
Source: ulsterherald.com
