Fuchsia Excellence
Awards
Excellence in Design
For a commitment to design excellence
in product development and marketing.
Sponsored by Fuchsia Brands 
Winner:
Skibbereen Heritage Centre
Under the direction of the Office of Public
Works, the old Skibbereen gasworks building has been
skillfully restored and adapted to accommodate the twin
exhibits of the Great Famine commemoration and the Lough
Hyne Visitor Centre. The facility makes full and effective
use of the character and style of the building and conserves
an important facet of local industrial architecture,
a fact acknowledged in Irish Architecture 2001 regional
awards. The integrity of the building, its period detail
and features have been all been retained and used to
maximum effect as a backdrop for display and audio-visual
presentations. The story of the building, its origins
and historical associations as well as its subsequent
re-adaptation form part of the exhibition.
Barry Cogan, Fuchsia Brands, Terri Kearney, Skibbereen
Heritage Centre & Minister Joe Walsh
Other Nominees:
Ummera Smoked Products Ltd, Timoleague
Design considerations are apparent in all aspects of
production and marketing, not least in the new packaging
for the Irish Wild Salmon and newly launched Irish Organic
Smoked Salmon. The design of the packaging reflects
the premium nature of the product and combines functionality
on one hand with the presentation of clear and concise
information on the product, its ingredients, storage
and serving suggestions. The packaging also gives strong
prominence to the company identity and provides a useful
map to facilitate visitors to the company’s premises.
Beara Holiday Homes, Allihies
This recent development whilst modern in nature draws
its inspiration from local vernacular forms and presents
the five rental properties in a manner that reflects
the clachan farm developments of old. The development
has been specifically designed to blend in with the
natural surrounds of the area and particular use has
been made of traditional stone and slate. A commitment
to design excellence is also evident in the consistent
use of imagery and branding by the promoters in their
promotional literature and in the development of www.bearaholidayhomes.com.
Mizen Head Visitor Centre
The development of additional visitor facilities at
Mizen Head represented a particular challenge in a difficult
site. This challenge was met with a design that is sympathetic
to its location and which reflects a number of local
influences in its execution. Ambition is evident in
both the scale and nature of the facilities that have
been developed and it is particularly noteworthy that
a project of this scale was undertaken as a community
project. Internally, it is clear that the displays,
exhibits and motifs are used to convey a strong sense
of place, with a balance struck between high tech audio-visual
and an organic feel that befits the splendour of the
location. All in all the development successfully marries
a strong design sensibility with practicality and user-friendliness.
Particular credit is also due to the promoters for providing
for the needs of the elderly and the disabled in the
new facility.
Heron Quality Foods, Bandon
Heron Foods Ltd. recently launched their gluten-free
organic range with all products presented in striking
cardboard packages. A bold new design is consistent
across the product range and colour is used strongly
to identify the products within the range. The company
logo, organic accreditation and the Fuchsia logo are
all clearly represented in full colour. The fresh, crisp
design presents product information, ingredients and
nutritional information in a clear and concise manner
and the overall design echoes the functionality and
wholesomeness of the product. The use of recycled cardboard
further emphasises the point.
