Email Sarah McDonnell

Sarah McDonnell, who heads up project management for Ireland and Northern Ireland, spoke with Building Magazine to share her journey through the industry, She gives some advice for others and of course the good, the bad and the ugly of architecture and real estate! 

Read the whole article here, and see some of our favourite bits below...

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On Sarah's first spark of interest in the building environment:

I have five brothers but, from a young age, I was the one who helped dad build tree houses or anything else DIY-related at home. I loved maths and then, when I discovered engineering, the built environment felt like a natural fit.

How does her job look today?

Busy, but then I love a deadline! The job has obviously changed over the years from being very much based on site and in the thick of it to a more management role with lots of paperwork. I still relish putting on the boots though and getting out on site. That’s where the real action is, after all.

And how about downtime?

Golf - I managed to get tickets in the annual St Andrews lottery this year and will be playing there for a few days in November.

A good glass of Saint Émillion – the summer after our wedding, we drove down through France and visited the vineyard where the wine was made. As a result, it will always hold a special place.  

The cliff walks around Howth Head along Dublin Bay. Living in a city, getting away from it all can seem hard, but we are blessed to live in Howth where I can head out and take in breathtaking views over the sea in minutes with not a building in sight.

What's one thing Sarah would change about the real estate industry?

Speculative Cat A office fit-outs – we don’t need them! I’m on a bit of a crusade against them because I have seen too many times how they are put in by default only to be ripped out again by incoming tenants. This happens over and over in new-build and refurb and we believe there is a much better way, simply requiring thoughtful consideration and ensuring the technical expertise of the best team is available to prevent us following the default “strip-out” route every time. We all need to do something about this because it should be an easy win for our industry as we try and mitigate our impact on the global environment.  

Her favourite building?

As a child I remember being enthralled by the design features in Dublin’s Casino of Marino. Maybe because it’s the first that really inspired me, it’s also my favourite.

...and her least favourite?

Staying in Dublin, it’s Liberty Hall. A true testament to the dreadful architecture that proliferated in the city and further afield in the 1970s. The buildings we create now are going to be around for many years, often long after we are gone. Time and thought needs to be afforded to the design and the environment in which the building will reside.  

Finally, some sage advice:

[From Sarah's mother] You have two ears and one mouth, use them in that proportion.

[From Sarah] Listen and talk to the trades on site, learn from them. They have been at this a lot longer than you and have seen it all before.  

Life’s too short, so do something you love and enjoy it.  

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