The winning project in this category is Marina Park and Promenade by O’Connor Sutton Cronin. Located along the River Lee in Cork City, the €17.6 million scheme delivers a major sub-regional park and a continuous, car-free riverside promenade linking Blackrock with the South Docklands. The project integrates active-travel infrastructure, blue-green drainage systems, heritage conservation and high-quality public realm to create a resilient and accessible waterfront landscape.  

The design team addressed the challenges of working on reclaimed tidal ground while protecting sensitive habitats and historic structures. Through close integration of structural, hydraulic and landscape design, innovative solutions such as flood-storage SuDS infrastructure, elevated walkways and waterside structures were developed to manage water, enhance biodiversity and maintain inclusive access.  

The project demonstrates excellence in the delivery of sustainable infrastructure in the natural environment that enhances ecology and biodiversity, supports sustainable communities and good health and well-being and increases resilience to climate change.