REGISTERED architects, landscape architects, and engineers around the world are being invited to enter a competition to design alternative quayside plans for Morrison’s Island and Fr Mathew Quay. The best design will win €10,000.

The competition is organised by the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Cork Architectural Association. They hope the winning design will prompt the Office of Public Works (OPW) to re-explore their flood defence plans for Cork city.

The competition is supported by the Save Cork City group — who are opposed to the OPW plans, which could cost as much as €140m and will take up to 10 years to complete — and the National Sculpture Factory.

Public consultation for the proposed Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme has been completed and submissions are under review by OPW.

Entrants are asked to reimagine and renew the public space at Fr. Matthew and Morrison’s Quay, in Cork City, Ireland; design a new pedestrian bridge to replace the Trinity Bridge at Morrison’s Quay; reveal the historic nature and material quality of both quays, and enhance and develop the city’s relationship with the River Lee to promote and reference river activities, such as trade, tourism, community activity, sport and leisure.

RIAI said: “The purpose of the competition is to unlock opportunity and potential, advance knowledge, and develop expertise and ideas across architecture, engineering, and landscape design, through integrated design solutions that are specific to Cork city.

“It is hoped that the output of the process will contribute towards the city’s future strategy for the quays, by revealing new ideas and uses and promoting economical repair and maintenance of cultural identity and sense of place, while inserting new design.

“Innovative solutions cannot be generated without informed reference to the past (the working of historic space in Cork and its material quality), combined with dutiful consideration of the needs of the future (climate change, social and economic development).The impetus for the competition is a response to the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme proposed for Cork City.” A five-person jury will decide the winner and will be observed by two representatives from the local community. The submission deadline is September 22. See www.morrisons-island-competition.com.