McLean & Forte Architects

15/12/2025

As we come to the end of 2025, we’d like to thank everyone who has worked with McLean & Forte over the past year.

It’s been a pleasure collaborating with clients, consultants and contractors across a wide range of projects, and we’re proud of the strong relationships that continue to shape our work.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, successful New Year.

Our office will be closed from Christmas Eve, reopening on the 2nd January 2026.

08/12/2025

It’s been a busy few months at McLean & Forte which has meant our social channels have been a little quieter than usual.

But we’re excited to share some fantastic news.

Our Ballymoney Library project has had an incredible run recently first winning the CIAT Award for Retrofit of the Year in London where the team enjoyed a brilliant evening celebrating the achievement.

We also attended the CEF Awards in Belfast, where Ballymoney Library picked up the Energy Efficiency Project of the Year, another prestigious recognition of the project’s quality and impact.

A huge thank you to everyone involved. More updates to follow as we catch up on the past few months!

07/10/2025

Kieran will be speaking at the UK & Ireland Passive House Conference tomorrow afternoon, where he’ll be showcasing our award winning EnerPHit project Ballymoney Library.

This landmark retrofit demonstrates how existing buildings can be transformed to meet the highest standards of comfort, performance, and sustainability.

19/09/2025

https://lnkd.in/p/eCzadSX9

Kieran will be speaking at the Passive House Conference in Belfast about the Ballymoney Library EnerPHit project, showcasing how deep retrofit can transform existing buildings into energy-efficient, future-ready spaces.

Looking forward to sharing insights and lessons learned from this landmark project.

On Wednesday, we were delighted to welcome Minister Andrew Muir to launch the UK & Ireland Passivhaus Conference 2025, taking place in Belfast this October. Joined by representatives from PHAI, Ecological Building Systems, Queen’s University Belfast, and the Weavers’ Hall project team, the Minis...

18/09/2025

We’re proud to share that our Part 2 Architectural Assistants, Danny and Ryan, recently showcased their final year projects at The State of Belfast exhibition in the MAC Theatre.

The exhibition, co-curated by The MAC, Queen’s University Belfast, and Participation & the Practice of Rights (PPR), shines a light on Northern Ireland’s housing crisis and reimagines the future of our city through community driven design.

Danny and Ryan’s work, exhibited as part of the StreetSpace studio, explored sustainable, inclusive, and socially-conscious design solutions placing people and housing rights at the heart of architecture.

A huge well done to both for their hard work and thoughtful contributions to this important conversation about Belfast’s future.

10/09/2025

New Orritor Nursery Unit Set to Start on Site

We are thrilled to announce that construction is about to begin on the new Orritor Nursery Unit, which will replace the existing modular building. The proposed nursery has been thoughtfully designed as a modern, single-storey building that puts natural light, safety, and flexibility at the heart of early years learning.

The design features large floor-to-ceiling windows and strategically placed rooflights, creating bright and airy interiors. Children will enjoy direct access to secure outdoor play areas, encouraging seamless interaction between indoor and outdoor learning spaces.

Inside, an open-plan activity zone arranged around a central core enhances visibility for staff supervision, supporting a safe and engaging environment. The building also prioritizes sustainability, with carefully selected materials, high-performance glazing, and energy-efficient heating systems to minimize environmental impact. Thoughtful design details and natural materials create a calm and welcoming atmosphere for children, families, and staff alike.

We look forward to seeing the nursery take shape on site and can’t wait to share updates as the project progresses

28/08/2025

Exciting news!
Our Ballymoney Library EnerPHit project has been shortlisted for the Architectural Technology Awards – Retrofit of the Year!
This recognition celebrates our commitment to transforming existing buildings into energy-efficient, sustainable, and community-focused spaces. Achieving EnerPHit standards, the project demonstrates how innovative architectural technology can enhance user comfort, reduce energy use, and set a benchmark for public building retrofits.
A proud moment for our team and partners as we continue to champion high-performance, sustainable design.

27/06/2025

Our Clooney Terrace Cannon Regeneration Project has won the RTPI Northern Ireland Award for Planning Excellence 2025, specifically in the category of Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture.

The award recognizes the project's success in transforming the historic Clooney Cannon site into a revitalized public space while preserving its heritage value.

The project was a collaborative effort between Derry City and Strabane District Council, local community partners, and the Department for Communities.

18/12/2024