Welcome to the Spring 2026 edition of the MAG Newsletter
We have taken the opportunity in this edition of our newsletter to outline a number of areas of our work that may be of interest to you.
Launch of MAG Principles papers at the Designing Healthier Cities Cross-Sector Summit
Left to right: Eileen McCallion, MAG Secretariat; Nicola Donnelly, MAG Secretariat; Catherine Adams, MAG Expert Advisor; Carol Ramsey, MAG Member; Andrew Haley, MAG Chair; Prof Ruth Hunter, MAG Member; James Hennessey, MAG Expert Advisor; Justine Daly, MAG Expert Advisor. Photo credit: Queens University Belfast
The Designing Healthier Cities Cross-Sector Summit led by Queen’s University Belfast and the GroundsWell Consortium, held on 12 May 2026 at Titanic Belfast, brought together leaders from government, academia and practice to explore collaborative approaches to creating healthier, more inclusive urban environments. A highlight of the event was the launch of two new Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) Principles papers by MAG Chair Andrew Haley and MAG expert advisor Dr James Hennessey, both led by MAG Member Prof Ruth Hunter as lead author.
The first paper, on green and blue spaces as multifunctional infrastructure, sets out how nature-based solutions can be embedded in the built environment to deliver multiple benefits, including climate resilience, economic value, social interaction and improved physical and mental wellbeing, while supporting more sustainable and liveable places:
The second paper focuses on ending violence against women and girls through the built environment, highlighting how urban design can improve safety, accessibility and inclusion by addressing how spaces are planned, managed and experienced. Together, these evidence-informed publications reinforce the importance of designing cities that are not only healthy and sustainable, but also safe and equitable for all.
Passivhaus webinars for the public sector
Following the successful MAG Passivhaus for the Public Sector event in February 2026, MAG, in collaboration with Passivhaus Trust and Passive House Association of Ireland, continued the conversation through a three-part series exploring practical delivery of Passivhaus at a variety of scales, small public sector, large public sector and housing.
This current series goes into detail on key case studies, with a presentation on each webinar on a key building, and a Q&A discussion session on creating those opportunities for delivery in Northern Ireland.
Webinar 1 - 25 March 2026
Small Scale Public Projects: the Spencer Building Passivhaus case study
The presentation touched on wider estate decarbonisation strategies and how engineering teams are supporting organisations to transition their building portfolios towards net zero carbon. The webinar is available:
Webinar 2 - 22 April 2026
Passivhaus for the Public Sector: Delivering Low Carbon Buildings at Scale
This webinar focused on the Exeter City Council’s approach to delivering Passivhaus leisure buildings at scale:
Webinar 3 - 21 May 2026
Passivhaus for the Public Sector: Public Sector Housing Delivery
This webinar looked at the wider challenges and opportunities around delivering Passivhaus housing at scale, particularly within the public and housing association sectors:
RSUA Architecture Awards 2026
The Annual RSUA Awards took place in the Ulster Hall, Belfast and for the first time, the Awards process was open to projects in all nine counties of Ulster. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir opened the award ceremony.
The Department for Communities sponsored one of the awards again this year. MAG Chair, Andrew Haley, presented the RSUA Regeneration Award to TODD Architects for the refurbishment of Custom House Belfast, a Grade B+ listed building, designed by Sir Charles Lanyon and completed in 1857, was "meticulously refurbished" by TODD Architects. The building is now home to flexible high-end offices and event spaces.
The Liam McCormick Prize for Ulster’s Building of the Year was awarded to the Monaghan Peace Campus, designed by Hall Black Douglas Architects. The project also won the Architects’ Choice Award which polled the views of 300 local architects.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to John Cole CBE, in recognition of a highly distinguished career of over 40 years in the delivery of healthcare buildings and public sector infrastructure across the UK, Ireland and Internationally.
Congratulations to all the winners!
MAG Chair Andrew Haley presenting the RSUA Regeneration Award to TODD Architects with RSUA President John Lavery. Credit RSUA / Press Eye
Coleraine Future Town Fund – MAG workshop review
The Coleraine Future Town Fund Board represents a very broad spectrum of civic, business and community leaders, determined to seize the opportunity of the £20m ‘Pride in Place’ programme funding as an opportunity to develop and deliver a model for a sustainable town centre that connects to its neighbourhoods and people in a transformative landscape and townscape.
Left to right: Prof P Gerry McKenna, CFTF Independent Chair; Hazel King, CFTF Project Manager; Karen Yates, CFTF Deputy Chair; Roisin Donnelly, MAG Member; Mark Lennox, CFTF Board Member; Karen Dixon, CC&GBC; Ciarán Mackel, Panel Chair, MAG Expert Advisor; Julienne Elliott, CC&GBC; Eoin Farrell, MAG Expert Advisor; James Hennessey, MAG Expert Advisor; Eileen McCallion, MAG Secretariat; Justine Daly, MAG Expert Advisor & Place Advisor; Nial McSorley, CC&GBC; Jayne McAleese, CC&GBC; Pat Mulvenna, CFTF Board Member; Rhonda Williamson, CFTF Board Member; Therese Hogg, CFTF Team; and Niall McGurk, CFTF Board Member. Photo credit: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
At the request of Coleraine Future Town Fund (CFTF) Board, MAG brought together a Review Panel for a Workshop Review on 20th April. This was a tailored format as there are no specific designs or projects at this stage and CFTF were keen for MAG to provide independent, impartial guidance and advice on various aspects, focused on the emerging ideas in the town centre. Ciarán Mackel was the Panel Chair, with Roisin Donnelly, Eoin Farrell, James Hennessey and Justine Daly each bringing different disciplines and experience.
Left to right: ; James Hennessey, MAG Expert Advisor; Justine Daly, MAG Expert Advisor & Place Advisor; Karen Yates, CFTF Deputy Chair; Julienne Elliott, CFTF Board Member; Nial McSorley, CC&GBC; Eoin Farrell, MAG Expert Advisor; Ciarán Mackel, Panel Chair, MAG Expert Advisor
CFTF Board Members, CFTF team and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council officers participated in the workshop, including a focused walkabout.
This was an extremely productive MAG workshop and unique opportunity to have open, honest discussions about key assets, hurdles and potential approaches to maximise the potential this fund can bring to Coleraine.
For more information on CFTF, visit:
For more information on MAG Reviews, visit:
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