Architects and designers creating beautiful projects that enrich people's lives

Brian Murphy

B Arch, FRIAI, RIBA

Brian has a talent for designing high quality buildings while amplifying value. He has extensive experience in leading design teams in large, complex projects across hospitality, commercial office, workplace fit-out, and data centers.

Notable highlights include IBM, Killeen Castle, Four Seasons, CHQ, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Salesforce and Google. Brian began his career as an architect at MCA in 1990 when the practice had a team of less than ten employees. He became a Company Director in 1997 and is also a Conservation Grade 2 Architect.

Brian embodies the MCA ability to bring value add to the building – design that works.

bmurphy@mca.ie

Gerry Murphy

B Arch, FRIAI, RIBA, Dip PM, Dip Arb Law, MCIArb, Barrister-at-Law

Gerry takes time to understand client goals and has the experience and creativity to develop the design from that key starting point. He continually develops his own ability to think critically and was recently called to the Bar of Ireland having received his Barrister at Law degree from King’s Inns.

His experience spans leisure, retail, office and residential projects. He is focused on delivering innovative design solutions that work – buildings and spaces that are fully resolved in the context of the challenges that come with each project. Whilst always focused on the commercial aspects of the client brief, he will always strive to marry the final solution with excellent design. He advises many of Ireland’s key real estate development companies in hospitality, retail, office and residential developments from initial concept stage/master-planning through to completion.

Gerry is a graduate from the school of Architecture UCD, a fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, a qualified barrister and also a graduate in Construction and Arbitration Law. He is an appointed member of the RIAI Appeals Board.

gmurphy@mca.ie

Peter Duffy

BSc (Arch) Dip Arch MRIAI RIBA

“Quality beyond compliance.”

Peter joined the practice in 2000 and throughout his successful career he has worked on high quality, prestigious projects in the commercial, educational, and healthcare sectors. He is now MCA’s healthcare lead, and his broad range of experience and ability to manage projects ensures increased certainty of outcomes.

He is responsible for MCA’s Integrated Management Systems ensuring our quality systems are constantly vetted and improved enabling MCA to deliver excellence beyond compliance.

pduffy@mca.ie

Simon Sedgwick

BSc Arch MRIAI

“A passion for design-driven solutions combined with risk-mitigating project management.”

Simon joined the team at MCA Architects in 2000 and became Associate Director in 2019, and Director in 2024.  During his 27 years of practice Simon has delivered numerous projects from inception to completion across the residential, retail, commercial, hospitality, media, healthcare and mission critical sectors. He leads MCA's Data Centre team. His expertise is in project management, commercial and technology buildings & design risk assessments. He has project managed several successful high tech/media interiors fit out, office development and data centre projects in recent years.

ssedgwick@mca.ie

David Pearson

B Arch Dip Arch MRIAI

“A collaborative approach to design inspired by clients’ sustainability, wellness and community goals.”

With over 20 years of experience across a range of sectors, David is the head of Workplace Design at MCA. He brings a proven track record in delivering several high-profile projects for clients such as Twitter, Facebook, IBM, Accenture, DAA to name a few. As part of the MCA team, he has the scope to innovate and push forward, designing ever more responsive environments to mitigate challenges.

dpearson@mca.ie

Seamus Thornton

B Arch MRIAI

“Ensuring statutory compliance at each stage of the project from concept to completion.”

Seamus’ experience extends over 27 years in the commercial office building, education and private residential, cultural, hospitality, retail, conservation and leisure sectors. This has involved the preparation of design competitions, feasibility studies and masterplans in addition to the provision of due diligence services. In the management of projects, I attend Client, Design Team and other stakeholder meetings, and oversee sustainability issues, value engineering, and specification assessments.

sthornton@mca.ie

Andrew Howley

B Arch BSc (Arch) MRIAI

“Combining the creativity of a designer with the process-driven approach of a project manager.”

Andrew joined the team in 2013 and he has had great success across a variety of sectors - commercial, retail, residential, hospitality & leisure. Andrew is an Associate Director at MCA. His approach to complex projects combines the creativity of a designer with the process-driven approach of a project manager. Andrew understands that communication and attention to detail are key to coordinating every element of the project delivery – be it complex technical façades, fit-out design or workplace strategy. He has a passion for sustainable design in the broadest sense of the word having delivered many BREEAM & LEED accredited buildings including one of the first WELL certified projects in the country.

Andrew has been involved with many award winning projects to date such as the Multi Award winning UCD Sports & Student Centre - RIAI Public Choice Award Building of the Year & RIAI Universal Design Award 2013 of which he was Senior Project Architect, the Lidl Ireland Head Office, Irish Building and design awards architectural project of the year 2017 and 40 Molesworth Street Office development, Irish Construction Excellence Award refurbishment project of the year 2017 and Building and Design Awards Commercial Project of the Year.

ahowley@mca.ie

Donal Hogan

FCPA

Donal is a Certified Public Accountant and Financial Controller at MCA. He has over 30 years’ experience in various industries, including food, manufacturing, and professional services sectors. Since joining the practice in December 2013, Donal has brought a wealth of expertise to the finance function and management of the business.

In developing and implementing robust financial modelling, forecasting and systems, he continues to play a crucial role in ensuring the company’s financial operations run smoothly.

dhogan@mca.ie

Ivan O'Keeffe

Dip Arch Tech., P.Grad Dip (Fire)

“The commercial acumen of a building surveyor combined with a passion for innovative materials.”

Ivan has had a wide range of experience working across the commercial, office fit outs, healthcare, mission critical, hotels, leisure and residential sectors. He brings a discerning eye to the design, producing detailed and accurate information to suit each project’s unique requirements. Ivan is passionate about exploring new products and implementing them into new designs.

He has worked on exciting projects over the years such as Facebook offices, Amazon Data Centres, The Four Seasons Hotel and the Bulgari Distribution Centre in Ireland.

iokeeffe@mca.ie

Fergal White

BSc Arch BArch MSc Environmental Design of Buildings MRIAI

“Delivering sustainable design using digital tools.”

Fergal is a senior associate architect at MCA and possesses a specialist knowledge of sustainable and environmental design which he brings to all MCA projects. In his work in Australia and Ireland he has amassed a broad range of architectural and design skills including extensive technical expertise in REVIT and BIM which results in cost and resource savings, greater efficiency and shorter project lifecycles, improved communication and coordination, more opportunities for prefabrication and modular construction and quality beyond compliance. Fergal has the ability to communicate seemingly complex concepts in a comprehensible manner, leading to improved collaboration and teamwork and improved efficiencies.

fwhite@mca.ie

Graham Ovenden

BA (Hons) Dip Arch

“An experienced architect and technologist with specialisation in data centre design.”

Graham is a Senior Associate architect with 29 years’ experience in both Ireland and the UK as both an Architect and an Architectural Technician working on large commercial schemes / developments and small individual projects across the retail, residential, commercial and mission critical sectors. His expertise is in specification writing and technician detailing and ensuring that workmanship and quality on site is delivered. Significant high-profile projects include the new 16,000 Sqm EXO landmark building to Point Square, Dublin and the new student apartment buildings in UCD Dublin.

Earlier projects include the redevelopment of Roches Stores, Henry Street; Spencer Dock Apartments and Penthouse Complex, Dublin; and the Point Village Development, Dublin.

govenden@mca.ie

Burgert Van der Walt

B Arch Pr Arch SACAP 5995

“Passion for service excellence, quality, attention to detail and design-focus within the realities of sustainability and project budget.”

Burgert has over 25 years of industry experience. He has been with MCA since 2016, he was promoted to an Associate in 2019, and Senior Associate in 2024. Burgert’s primary field of expertise is in commercial office interior fitouts, which he has successfully delivered for various clients in many locations globally throughout his career. He has also successfully delivered large scale commercial base build projects (office & retail), has gained extensive experience in working on projects in the hotel / leisure industry and in education.

Burgert believes that by promoting a collaborative approach to projects with all stakeholders, the best results are achieved.

bvanderwalt@mca.ie

Neil McCormick

BS.Arch M.Arch RIBA

“Designing buildings for the people in them.”

Neil has a love of clever, efficient design that embraces a sustainable approach and uses the human experience as the primary driving force. He is proficient in BIM and has designed numerous building types using digital construction tools. He is a Senior Associate Architect at MCA having joined the practice in 2016. He is also an ARB registered Architect and a RIAI Chartered Architect with 10 years’ experience working on a variety of retail, residential, hotel, and commercial projects in both Ireland and abroad from inception to completion.

Additionally, Neil brings experience in the refurbishment and conservation of protected buildings. Key roles include conceptual and detail planning, project management, space planning and construction documentation.

nmccormick@mca.ie

Aideen Murray

Dip Arch B Arch Sc MRIAI

“Designing for longevity of building lifespan.”

Aideen is passionate about delivering building projects that will endure. She joined the team in 2013 and expansive experience in hotels, conservation and healthcare and commercial fitouts across Ireland. Aideen completed a PGradDip ABRC in Trinity College in 2012, she has delivered several successful conservation projects to date. She has also been working extensively in a wide range of healthcare projects over the last number of years in the Mater Private Hospital and numerous community nursing units for the HSE.

Aideen is widely experienced working with multi-disciplinary teams in delivering a successful project from concept stage to completion.

amurray@mca.ie

Jesper Dynesen

CAND.ARCH MAA MRIAI

“Translating client's commercial cultures into vibrant working environments.”

Jesper has developed a diversity of experience working for practices in both Copenhagen and Dublin on various types of projects from inception to completion in the residential, commercial, retail & mixed-use developments, offices, and hotels sectors. He has extensive experience in designing and managing high end commercial office buildings and fitout projects - Google, Viasat, Accenture and Workday.

jdynesen@mca.ie

Nicola Sexton

B.Arch, PG Dip Arch, SACAP, MRIAI

"A space design should enhance people's experiences."

With over 23 years of experience across Ireland, the UK, and South Africa, Nicola joined MCA in 2015. She has led the design and delivery of complex, mixed-use developments with strict functional and service requirements. Specializing in healthcare design, Nicola is dedicated to creating spaces that enhance the experience of both patients and staff through close collaboration with end users, specialists, and clinicians.

nsexton@mca.ie

Marian Dinneen

B.Arch (Hons)., Dip Arch., MRAIA

“Architects have a responsibility to improve the Built Environment.”

Marian joined MCA in 2019 and has worked through the design and construction stages on a range of projects including commercial, workplace, data centre hospitality. Prior to MCA she worked on residential schemes, educational buildings, healthcare, and domestic projects. Having been made an Associate at MCA in 2023, she is fast becoming a vital part of an enthusiastic, motivated team who design buildings and places that truly work for people.

mdinneen@mca.ie

Paul Sweeney

Associate

Paul joined MCA Architects in 2014. He specializes on all technical aspects of detail design and project delivery and has particular experience and knowledge on the delivery of large scale projects within the Data Centre, Pharma, Logistical and Office Sectors amongst others. Recent projects include pharma facilities for Zoetis and Pfizer, Lidl HQ Office and distribution centres, Townsend Street Hotel Developments and Data Centres in Frankfurt.

psweeney@mca.ie

Nikki Fetherston

BA. Arch Interior Architecture

“Expert in delivering high quality fitout though a collaborative and design led approach.”

Nikki is a senior Interior Architect and passionate designer with over 15 years’ experience in the commercial fit out sector. She specialised in commercial office fitout having delivered projects both in Ireland and abroad for a range of clients. Nikki is passionate about materiality and design and always strives to keep sustainability at the forefront of her designs. Her expertise includes taking projects from initial concept stage through to site completion and believes building good relationships with client and consultants alike ensures highest standard of delivery. Nikki joined MCA in 2022 and became an Associate in 2024.

nfetherston@mca.ie

Barry Walshe

B.Sc. Arch Tech

“Facilitating the transfer of information from client team to contractor teams to guarantee complete execution of specific requirements.”

Barry joined the team in 2016, bringing with him over 20 years of work experience and became an Associate in 2024. He has a broad range of experience across all sectors in local and international markets.

Since joining the practice, Barry has gained extensive experience on complex construction projects, developing a strong technical knowledge and insight into current BC(a)R challenges. Barry is responsible for the coordination of multi-disciplinary project design teams, currently focusing on commercial and mission critical projects.

He has a keen interest in keeping up to date with construction technology trends and has a passion for developing bespoke technical solutions for specific design briefs.

bwalshe@mca.ie

Masni Shah

Associate Technical Architect

"Collaboration and creativity in solving problems."

With over two decades of experience, Masni excels in leading large, complex collaborative projects. She navigates challenges with a methodical approach, combining creativity, meticulous planning, and clear documentation. Passionate about teamwork, Masni thrives on working with multidisciplinary teams to deliver practical and effective design solutions.

mshah@mca.ie