Audrey Gaffney Associates are an Interior Architectural Design Company specialising in the Hospitality Sector and working with clients to understand and realise their business brand and potential. Exceptional personal and professional service is guaranteed from their highly skilled design team.
Launched in 2012, the Fit Out Awards celebrate excellence in the execution of world-class fit outs, and also the people and clients who drive these projects.
This year’s black tie ceremony took place on Wednesday, November 27th, at The Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin and Audrey Gaffney Associates was shortlisted in the Fit Out Design Practice of the Year category.
“We’ve been nominated a few times now at the Fit Out Awards but it’s a case of always the bridesmaid, never the bride!” quipped Audrey when reflecting on the fact that they didn’t get their hands on the prize on the night.
A closer inspection reveals that Audrey is being a tad bit modest with that remark as the truth is that Audrey Gaffney Associates is no stranger to award success.
Their CV includes 2019 Client Business Excellence Award with ActionCOACH, All-Star Female Led Business winner 2018, All-Star Hospitality Interior Design Team 2018, Winner Best Luxury Hospitality Project (Cabra Castle Hotel & Cottages) 2018, Winner Interior Designer Agency of the Year (Republic of Ireland) 2018 and Winner Best Hospitality Interior Design Firm (Leinster) 2017, to name but a few!
“We’ve got a few awards under our belts and it’s lovely to get that recognition for the work that we are doing,” she added.
“It is always exciting from our point of view, in terms of our projects, to get to see how other industry professionals view them as well. Last year we were a finalist in the Conservation Project of the Year category at the Irish Construction Industry awards for Markree Castle, which was a very prestigious project. It reflects very well on our team and our design and project management abilities.”
Having always had an interest in arts & crafts and making her own clothes from an early age, Audrey always wanted to study fashion design but things never quite happen the way you expect. After quickly rising to a management position within retail interiors her passion for design led her to finally return and complete her studies in Interior Architecture at the well-established institute of Griffith College Dublin.
The renowned architectural practice Project Architects hired Audrey as their Interior Designer where her skills were put to use within the amazing Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork.
Audrey then proceeded to take up the position as Design Manager for a design practice which specialised more in the hospitality industry for a further three years.
It was in June 2008 when she took the leap to launch her own design studio, and with very loyal and trusting clients, she has developed her own unique style for exquisite, luxurious and unique interiors.
“Like a lot of small businesses, I started out working out of my house and had one other person with me,” Audrey recalled. “We were working on a lot of projects in Northern Ireland around that time but then more jobs came on stream down south. The business has really catapulted to a different level in the last couple of years.
“Today we have 11 people working for us and I’m hoping to take on another two employees very shortly. Six years ago we moved into our current premises in Scurlockstown Business Park, Trim, Co Meath. It’s state-of-the art complete with a design studio and sample rooms which allows us to have everything in close proximity.”
Audrey Gaffney Associates’ aim is to elevate your business through the rigour of fantastic design. Although their work has been involved in the world of hospitality, they have the experience and expertise to know exactly what performs visually and also how to generate the maximum financial return no matter what the sector.
They are not about rehashing the old and playing it safe; they believe in creating spaces that are incredible, extraordinary, and above all, spaces that work for the user and customer. From creative collaboration through to technical drawing and project management they are there every step of the way to ensure the interior brand vision is realised.
Their bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotel and retail environments don’t just look great, they function efficiently too. With this in mind, they offer a full interior architecture service, from providing the most effective and up to date lighting to designing bespoke furnishings to make your project truly unique.
They can also work closely with associated project managers and quantity surveyors to incorporate their services as they lead into the design-build stage. A detailed schedule of works will be produced detailing all the elements needed and they incorporate this into additional trades work, ensuring that the end design is implemented correctly, efficiently and within budget constraints.
“We take great pride in our attention to detail,” Audrey pointed out. “We are always on the lookout to see aspects around the brief, things the client may not have thought about, and giving them the best possible advice. Our focus is on creating something that is unique with the company brand. We don’t create something for the sake of it, our designs are always tailored to needs of our clients and the needs of their management, staff and customers.”
Being fiercely customer focused and passionate about design, Andrey and her team are focused on ensuring that each project works for each client. With her knowledge and experience, she has developed and created original interiors, evolved each design around the brand, and ensured that customer experience is always at the forefront.
Audrey’s love of all things Italian means that their stylish, classic and understated elegant interiors have influenced her own personal taste in design. She is a keen foodie and loves to spend time in the rolling Tuscan hills whenever she can.
Her belief in delivering 5-star interiors ensures that her clients return time and time again. With her highly skilled, professional and experienced design team, her aim is to deliver a unique service each time, ensuring that they retain an excellent working relationship as always, and evolve into the ultimate customer experience whenever and wherever she can.
Her passion is design!
“We have a huge passion for what we do,” Audrey stated, “and a lot of blood, sweat and tears has gone into the business down through the years. We have assembled a great team team that always gives 100% to every project we take on. Our client put their trust in us so that’s the least we can do in return.”
Audrey Gaffney Associates
Unit 1 Scurlockstown Business Park
Dublin Road,
Trim,
Co Meath
Tel: 353 (0) 46 906 4190
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.audrey.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, February/March 2020, Vol 6 No 1
