He is an active member of the RIAI and sits on the Board of Architectural Education (BAE) and on the Steering Group of the HCI Project ‘Building Change: Designing a Resilient Future through Architecture Education.’ His research is intersectional – focused on developing new research practices exploring socio-cultural possibilities through speculative design methodologies, and leads a number of EU funded research projects including ‘BAUHAUS Goes North’ (2023). His students have won a number of prestigious awards most notably including Winning, Finalist, and Shortlisted projects at the EUMies “Young Talent in Architecture Award” 2023, the RIBA President’s Silver Medal “Serjeant Prize” 2021, and the EAAE Best Diploma Project [Innovation] 2016, while a number of his students were selected for exhibition as part of the “Visionaries” Exhibition at the Lisbon Triennale ‘TERRA’ (2022).
He has been twice nominated for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – the EUMies Award - in 2009 and 2020 – and was a finalist for the BD Young Architect of the Year in 2008 and 2016. He was awarded the Edinburgh Civic Medal (1999) and first place in the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) Graduate Awards for Architecture (1999), and chosen for Building Design "Class of 1999" which showcased the best Architecture graduates across the UK. He has received several other Architecture Awards including a Special Commendation at the inaugural World Architecture Festival in Barcelona (2008), an AAI Special Award (2008), and a number of AAI and RIAI Awards and Commendations. He has been an Exhibition Curator of Graduate works at Architecture at the Edge (2023), the Lisbon Triennale (2022), Athens Biennale (2017), Tallinn Architecture Biennale (2013), and Istanbul Design Week (2013).
Jason is a Reviewer for a number of Architectural Research Journals including DMJournal–Architecture and Representation (UK), Architectural Theory Review (Taylor & Francis), and has been an invited critic at a number of Schools of Architecture including: The Bartlett, UCL, TU Delft, The Mackintosh School of Architecture, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's University of Belfast, University of Ulster, University of Limerick, University College Dublin, and The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture. He has lectured extensively on his research in architecture – while most notably Keynote Speaker at: “Bauhaus Futures/ Bauhaus Presences” (2022), “Re-appropriation and Representation” (2020), the Andrew Carnegie PhD Symposium at the University of Edinburgh (2014), and the Showcase Lecture at the European Architecture Student Assembly along with Pritzker Prize Laureates Grafton Architects (2008). His essay "John Hejduk and Samuel Beckett: Going on, in Silence and Lateness" was published in "The Place of Silence: Architecture / Media / Philosophy,” Bloomsbury Publishing (2020), and he is currently developing an anthology of architectural works and essays that look at the theoretical limits of Islands and how they hold a distinct place in the cultural, philosophical, and literary consciousness.
In my teaching, I have fostered a cultural environment around the discipline of architecture that supports a sense of wider participation, involvement, and learning; one that provokes new readings in the field of architecture whilst at the same time supports and develops the learner’s experience. I have established a distinctive, progressive, and critical architectural culture within my teaching practices. This extends into all areas of my teaching environment - from studio-based courses to lectures and wider contributions. I believe these practices have defined new spatial, material and cultural potentialities for those environments and living systems we occupy. Of importance for the learner, is how they begin to extend their design research potential through developing parallel modes of critical practice which include the making and writing of architectural research. The demand must be that the learner is sufficiently capable of defining new spatial and material potentials, and at the same time, feels supported in the use of new and experimental modes of practices such that they attain sociological and cultural approached towards urban dynamics and actors, while understanding major local and global historical developments impacting different urban and peri-urban contexts. One of the most fundamental parts of architectural education is the idea of the design brief - which I use as a method to situate the learner - both within circumscribing the central learning apparatus (learning outcomes/objectives) – but also going beyond these, by using the brief in such a way that the learner becomes motivated and looks at ways in which they might consider the wider problematic in question around micro and macro issues that impact the development of the design thesis project.
I consider that the key question for assessment (specifically regarding the design project) must not just be the extent by which a project has met the demands of the brief, but equally the extent by which it has managed to disrupt it in unexpected ways. In this way, the focus and language used to situate the brief and the wider epistemological framework becomes critically balanced, and the skills used to situate a text that can productively operate between these configurations is something that is both a constant challenge but also wonderfully surprising with its results.
Biography
Jason is a registered Architect and holds a PhD in Architecture from The University of Edinburgh. He graduated with Distinction from The University of Edinburgh and from Queen’s University of Belfast with First Class Honours. He is currently Interim Director at Cork Centre for Architectural Education (UCC/MTU), Director of Teaching & Learning, MArch Programme Director, and Joint Programme Director of the MSc “Re-designing the Post-Industrial City.”He is an active member of the RIAI and sits on the Board of Architectural Education (BAE) and on the Steering Group of the HCI Project ‘Building Change: Designing a Resilient Future through Architecture Education.’ His research is intersectional – focused on developing new research practices exploring socio-cultural possibilities through speculative design methodologies, and leads a number of EU funded research projects including ‘BAUHAUS Goes North’ (2023). His students have won a number of prestigious awards most notably including Winning, Finalist, and Shortlisted projects at the EUMies “Young Talent in Architecture Award” 2023, the RIBA President’s Silver Medal “Serjeant Prize” 2021, and the EAAE Best Diploma Project [Innovation] 2016, while a number of his students were selected for exhibition as part of the “Visionaries” Exhibition at the Lisbon Triennale ‘TERRA’ (2022).
He has been twice nominated for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – the EUMies Award - in 2009 and 2020 – and was a finalist for the BD Young Architect of the Year in 2008 and 2016. He was awarded the Edinburgh Civic Medal (1999) and first place in the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) Graduate Awards for Architecture (1999), and chosen for Building Design "Class of 1999" which showcased the best Architecture graduates across the UK. He has received several other Architecture Awards including a Special Commendation at the inaugural World Architecture Festival in Barcelona (2008), an AAI Special Award (2008), and a number of AAI and RIAI Awards and Commendations. He has been an Exhibition Curator of Graduate works at Architecture at the Edge (2023), the Lisbon Triennale (2022), Athens Biennale (2017), Tallinn Architecture Biennale (2013), and Istanbul Design Week (2013).
Jason is a Reviewer for a number of Architectural Research Journals including DMJournal–Architecture and Representation (UK), Architectural Theory Review (Taylor & Francis), and has been an invited critic at a number of Schools of Architecture including: The Bartlett, UCL, TU Delft, The Mackintosh School of Architecture, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's University of Belfast, University of Ulster, University of Limerick, University College Dublin, and The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture. He has lectured extensively on his research in architecture – while most notably Keynote Speaker at: “Bauhaus Futures/ Bauhaus Presences” (2022), “Re-appropriation and Representation” (2020), the Andrew Carnegie PhD Symposium at the University of Edinburgh (2014), and the Showcase Lecture at the European Architecture Student Assembly along with Pritzker Prize Laureates Grafton Architects (2008). His essay "John Hejduk and Samuel Beckett: Going on, in Silence and Lateness" was published in "The Place of Silence: Architecture / Media / Philosophy,” Bloomsbury Publishing (2020), and he is currently developing an anthology of architectural works and essays that look at the theoretical limits of Islands and how they hold a distinct place in the cultural, philosophical, and literary consciousness.
Research Interests
Research Grants
| Project | Funding Body | Start Date | End Date | Award | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (BGN) Bauhaus Goes North -Bauhaus Housing Principles for the Norther Periphery and Arctic Region. | European Union | 01-MAR-23 | 31-DEC-23 | €58,400.00 | |
| Bauhaus Goes North (BGN) | INTERREG | 01-SEP-24 | 31-AUG-27 | €459,302.00 | |
| Hybrid energy solutions for buildings, and infrastructure. (HYBES) | European Union | 01-FEB-23 | 31-JAN-26 | €135,135.00 | |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Redesigning the Post-Industrial City | ERASMUS | 01-OCT-23 | 29-NOV-29 | €5,742,000.00 |
Publications
Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2026) | John Hejduk, Samuel Beckett and The Question of Lateness. Jason O'Shaughnessy (2026) John Hejduk, Samuel Beckett and The Question of Lateness. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details] | |
| (2025) | Islands Unknown. Jason O'Shaughnessy (2025) Islands Unknown. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details] | |
| (2015) | Architecture as Site of Contingencies. Jason O'Shaughnessy (2015) Architecture as Site of Contingencies. New York: Pamphlet Architecture Press. [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | 'John Hejduk and Samuel Beckett: Going On, in Silence and Lateness' Jason O'Shaughnessy (2022) 'John Hejduk and Samuel Beckett: Going On, in Silence and Lateness' In: Mark Dorrian and Cristos Kakalis (eds). The Place of Silence Architecture / Media / Philosophy. London: Bloomsbury. [DOI] [Details] |
Edited Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2013) | Situating the Formless City Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Mary Aird, Maeve Mansfield (Ed.). (2013) Situating the Formless City Cork, Ireland: CCAE Cork Centre for Architectural Education. [Details] | |
| (2012) | Entry Points Jason O'Shaughnessy (Ed.). (2012) Entry Points Cork, Ireland: CCAE Cork School of Architecture. [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | SETTING-OUT. Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA) Annual PhD Conference Jason O'Shaughnessy (2014) Spiralling Tendencies: Hejduk and Beckett's Purgatoria SETTING-OUT. Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA) Annual PhD Conference [Details] | |
| (2008) | European Assembly of Student Architects (EASA) Jason O'Shaughnessy (2008) Showcase Lecture European Assembly of Student Architects (EASA) Dublin, , 11-AUG-08 - 11-AUG-08 [Details] |
Articles
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | (Re)Work: The Butter Museum. Jason O'Shaughnessy (2022) (Re)Work: The Butter Museum. Articles [Details] | |
| (2009) | Translating the Translator. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2009) Translating the Translator. IRELAND: Articles [Details] | |
| (2009) | Visual- thinking big. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2009) Visual- thinking big. Dublin: Articles [Details] | |
| (2008) | Daniel Libeskind in Dublin. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy and Sandra O'Connell PhD (2008) Daniel Libeskind in Dublin. Dublin: Articles [Details] | |
| (2006) | MAXXI. Jason O'Shaughnessy (2006) MAXXI. Articles [Details] | |
| (2006) | The airborne monolith - Egan's juice bar and roof terrace, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy. Architecture 53seven (2006) The airborne monolith - Egan's juice bar and roof terrace, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Articles [Details] | |
| (2006) | Tullow Civic Offices and Library, Co Carlow. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2006) Tullow Civic Offices and Library, Co Carlow. Articles [Details] | |
| (2006) | It must be considered that Irish Architecture has yet to produce visionary healthcare buildings. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2006) It must be considered that Irish Architecture has yet to produce visionary healthcare buildings. Articles [Details] | |
| (2003) | Urban routines and street furniture, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2003) Urban routines and street furniture, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Dublin: Articles [Details] | |
| (2002) | Tom's Bar, Mountrath, Co Laois. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2002) Tom's Bar, Mountrath, Co Laois. Ireland: Articles [Details] | |
| (1997) | A temporary exhibition : design for an aboriginal interpretive centre for Sydney, Australia. Jason O'Shaughnessy (1997) A temporary exhibition : design for an aboriginal interpretive centre for Sydney, Australia. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Articles [Details] |
Other Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2009) | 'Visual Thinking Big' Jason O'Shaughnessy (2009) 'Visual Thinking Big' Irish Arts Review (2002-), 3 (Autumn) :102-105. [Details] |
Exhibition
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | BD Young Architect of the Year Award. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy. DATUM (2014) BD Young Architect of the Year Award. London, UK: Exhibitions [Details] | |
| (2013) | New Topographies in Istanbul, Tallinn Architecture Biennale (TAB 2013). Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2013) New Topographies in Istanbul, Tallinn Architecture Biennale (TAB 2013). Tallinn, Estonia: Exhibitions [Details] | |
| (2013) | The City as Palimpsest. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2013) The City as Palimpsest. Exhibitions [Details] | |
| (2011) | The Secret Laboratory- Notebooks and Narratives (curated by Paul Clarke). Jason O'Shaughnessy (2011) The Secret Laboratory- Notebooks and Narratives (curated by Paul Clarke). Exhibitions [Details] | |
| (2009) | Building Design Young Architect of the Year. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2009) Building Design Young Architect of the Year. Exhibitions [Details] | |
| (2008) | Building Design Young Architect of the Year. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2008) Building Design Young Architect of the Year. Exhibitions [Details] | |
| (2007) | RIBA European Awards. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2007) RIBA European Awards. London, UK: Exhibitions [Details] |
Artwork
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2014) | AR Emerging Architects. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven. (2014) AR Emerging Architects. London, UK: Artwork [Details] | |
| (2014) | RDS and Leinster Rugby Stadium. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Joseph Hester, Richard Fenton, Eoin French (2014) RDS and Leinster Rugby Stadium. Dublin, Ireland: Artwork [Details] | |
| (2014) | Guggenheim Helsinki. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Eoin French, Emma Power (2014) Guggenheim Helsinki. Helsinki, Finland: Artwork [Details] | |
| (2013) | Glasnevin Centenary Chapel. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Eoin French (2013) Glasnevin Centenary Chapel. Dublin, Ireland: Artwork [Details] | |
| (2013) | The Great Fall. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Eoin French (2013) The Great Fall. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2013) | Ideas for a Primary School of the 21st Century. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Barry O'Shea (2013) Ideas for a Primary School of the 21st Century. Dublin, Ireland: Artwork [Details] | |
| (2013) | Deja Vu. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2013) Deja Vu. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2012) | Post-Primary School of the Future. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Kevin McCartney (2012) Post-Primary School of the Future. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2011) | Tullamore Arts Centre. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2011) Tullamore Arts Centre. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2010) | Cascina Merlata Milano. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2010) Cascina Merlata Milano. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2010) | Hackney Wick White Building Initiative. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2010) Hackney Wick White Building Initiative. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2008) | Bord Gais Networks Headquarters. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2008) Bord Gais Networks Headquarters. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2007) | Longford Civic Offices. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2007) Longford Civic Offices. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2005) | Kyrls Quay. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2005) Kyrls Quay. Artwork [Details] | |
| (2004) | Irish Worls Performing Arts Village [IWPAV]. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2004) Irish Worls Performing Arts Village [IWPAV]. Artwork [Details] | |
| (1999) | Royal Scottish Academy Summer Exhibition. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (1999) Royal Scottish Academy Summer Exhibition. Edinburgh, UK: Artwork [Details] | |
| (1999) | RIBA Silver Medal. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (1999) RIBA Silver Medal. London, UK: Artwork [Details] | |
| (1998) | Alexander (Greek) Thompson Memorial Competition. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (1998) Alexander (Greek) Thompson Memorial Competition. Glasgow, UK: Artwork [Details] | |
| (1996) | RIBA Bronze Medal. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (1996) RIBA Bronze Medal. London, UK: Artwork [Details] |
Exemplar Study
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2010) | The Draughtsman Contract. Jason O'Shaughnessy (2010) The Draughtsman Contract. Exemplar Study [Details] |
Installation in a Gallery
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2007) | Through the looking glass. Jason O'Shaughnessy (2007) Through the looking glass. Dublin, Ireland: Installation in a Gallery [Details] |
Guest Lectures
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2004) | Practicing in Architecture. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2004) Practicing in Architecture. University of Edinburgh: Guest Lectures [Details] |
Invited Lectures
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2010) | New practices in Irish Architecture. Jason O'Shaughnessy (2010) New practices in Irish Architecture. The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & Built Environment: Invited Lectures [Details] | |
| (2010) | Beyond the Pale. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2010) Beyond the Pale. University of Limerick: Invited Lectures [Details] | |
| (2010) | Practice and Research in Architecture. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2010) Practice and Research in Architecture. Aberdeen, Scotland: Invited Lectures [Details] | |
| (2010) | Frequencies (National Sculpture Factory Series). Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2010) Frequencies (National Sculpture Factory Series). Cork: Invited Lectures [Details] | |
| (2010) | AAI Annual Lectures: Architecture 53seven. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2010) AAI Annual Lectures: Architecture 53seven. Dublin: Invited Lectures [Details] | |
| (2009) | Fresh-air-kitecture: In Conversation with Victoria Acebo [Acebo x Alonso Architects]. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2009) Fresh-air-kitecture: In Conversation with Victoria Acebo [Acebo x Alonso Architects]. Institute Cervantes, Dublin: Invited Lectures [Details] |
Invited Review Articles
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2012) | THERE THERE. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2012) THERE THERE. Invited Review Articles [Details] |
Invited Seminars
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2011) | Other architectures. Jason O'Shaughnessy. (2011) Other architectures. Invited Seminars [Details] | |
| (2007) | Aparallel Evolution (UCD). Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2007) Aparallel Evolution (UCD). University College Dublin Thesis Workshops: Invited Seminars [Details] |
Built Works
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2013) | Hill [side] House. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy. Architecture 53seven (2013) Hill [side] House. Built Works [Details] | |
| (2011) | RIAI Silver Medal. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2011) RIAI Silver Medal. Built Works [Details] | |
| (2009) | Mies van der Rohe European Awards. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2009) Mies van der Rohe European Awards. Built Works [Details] | |
| (2008) | World Architecture Festival. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2008) World Architecture Festival. Barcelona, Spain: Built Works [Details] | |
| (2007) | LAMA Awards. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy (2007) LAMA Awards. Built Works [Details] | |
| (2007) | Irish Concrete Society Annual Awards. Jason M.O'Shaughnessy, Architecture 53seven (2007) Irish Concrete Society Annual Awards. Built Works [Details] |
Teaching Activities
Teaching Interests
I have strong interest in teaching and conceptualising architectural design as well as the associated area of design-based research. In the teaching environment, I believe synergies in these fields lead to the development of studio culture that values the development of critical and innovative architectural design where I encourage the development of didactic teaching practices – aiding the learner in the way they negotiate their creative learning processes. I consider this mode of teaching as a form of collaborative research with the potentiality to generate acts of critical thinking and modes of making (drawings/artefacts etc) – and which ultimately challenge any notion of severance between design exploration and design conceptualisation.In my teaching, I have fostered a cultural environment around the discipline of architecture that supports a sense of wider participation, involvement, and learning; one that provokes new readings in the field of architecture whilst at the same time supports and develops the learner’s experience. I have established a distinctive, progressive, and critical architectural culture within my teaching practices. This extends into all areas of my teaching environment - from studio-based courses to lectures and wider contributions. I believe these practices have defined new spatial, material and cultural potentialities for those environments and living systems we occupy. Of importance for the learner, is how they begin to extend their design research potential through developing parallel modes of critical practice which include the making and writing of architectural research. The demand must be that the learner is sufficiently capable of defining new spatial and material potentials, and at the same time, feels supported in the use of new and experimental modes of practices such that they attain sociological and cultural approached towards urban dynamics and actors, while understanding major local and global historical developments impacting different urban and peri-urban contexts. One of the most fundamental parts of architectural education is the idea of the design brief - which I use as a method to situate the learner - both within circumscribing the central learning apparatus (learning outcomes/objectives) – but also going beyond these, by using the brief in such a way that the learner becomes motivated and looks at ways in which they might consider the wider problematic in question around micro and macro issues that impact the development of the design thesis project.
I consider that the key question for assessment (specifically regarding the design project) must not just be the extent by which a project has met the demands of the brief, but equally the extent by which it has managed to disrupt it in unexpected ways. In this way, the focus and language used to situate the brief and the wider epistemological framework becomes critically balanced, and the skills used to situate a text that can productively operate between these configurations is something that is both a constant challenge but also wonderfully surprising with its results.
Contact details
- Jason O'Shaughnessy
Interim Director - j.oshaughnessy@ucc.ie
- Cork Centre for Architectural Education
Douglas Street
Cork, Ireland
T12 AD7R - +353 (0)21 420 5676
- +353 (0)85 8507289