Ask An Architect bookings are now closed for 2024. The initiative will return in spring 2025.

FAQ's

Find an architect

Organiser

Organiser

Partner

Partner

Partner

Partner

Sponsor

Sponsor

Sponsor

Sponsor

What is
Ask An Architect?

Ask An Architect is a unique annual event which gives you something back for your charitable donation.

Architects across all of Northern Ireland offer their services free of charge giving advice to those considering a building or renovation project – all for a charitable donation of £50 to the Friends of the Cancer Centre in partnership with the Jill Todd Trust.

About the
Jill Todd trust

The Jill Todd Trust was established in 2011 by local architect, Barrie Todd and his wife Trish in commemoration of their late daughter Jill, who at the age of 23 tragically had her very active, talented and personable life taken by cancer.

One of the main accredited objectives of the Trust is to raise funds to assist medical research to find a cure for cancer.

Ask An Architect was devised by Trish and Barrie as an effective means of raising funds to support cancer research in Northern Ireland.

The Jill Todd Trust is registered with the Northern Ireland Charity Commission no: NIC 102553. www.jilltoddtrust.com

About Friends of
the Cancer Centre

Friends of the Cancer Centre, based at the heart of the Cancer Centre at Belfast City Hospital, is one of Northern Ireland’s leading cancer charities.  A compact, highly effective team, the charity’s work focuses on three key areas – clinical care, patient comforts, and research – with each making a direct and positive impact on the lives of thousands of local people affected by cancer.  All money raised through ‘ask an architect’ will support locally led cancer research, through the charity’s partnership with the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) at Queen’s University, Belfast.  Over the last three years, Friends of the Cancer Centre has invested nearly £1 million in research, enabling specialist staff to be recruited in the labs to develop clinical trials benefitting local patients. Thanks to the support of the charity, Northern Ireland has become a world leader in cancer research.

Friends of the Cancer Centre is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101345 www.friendsofthecancercentre.com

The whole scheme is a fabulous initiative.  It allowed us to have access to an incredible wealth of knowledge from an architect, whose expertise we would normally be unable to afford! All this and being able to donate to such an important and worthy cause was total bonus.  I would encourage anyone doing home renovation, an extension or full refurb to use the service.

We had recently moved into a period home which needed a lot of attention. We had a 5 year goal of an extension and thought we’d get some clarity on how to get there. Aisling listened to our requirements and in her feedback she noted that we hadn’t said that we needed more space, rather that we wanted to use the space we had in a more connected way. This was crucial. The session was really practical as we asked questions about costs, financing, timelines. A few months on and a lot of dust later, we’ve been able to make some pretty incredible changes to our house based on Aisling’s ideas, featuring a neat little kitchen hatch and reconfigurations of doors and glazing. This allows us the connection through our family spaces with views from front to back. Meanwhile, a huge roof window on the top floor gives us access to the best views of the city!

I am absolutely delighted with the service I have received so far from 2020 Architects! It was an excellent idea of having a free consultation with them first and your donation goes to charity!!  I am now in the process of designing my house with them then hopefully building soon! Michael and Siobhán were able to understand my brief and what we want out of our new house. I would totally recommend 2020 Architects and the ask an architect initiative.

The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) is the professional body for architects in Northern Ireland. As a charity, RSUA’s goal is to deliver public benefit by promoting architecture that enhances life in the region. All architects involved in ‘ask an architect’ are chartered members of RSUA and RIBA. Chartered architects have successfully completed at least seven years of training and assessment and are duty bound to operate at the highest professional standards.

PLACE [Planning Landscape Architecture Community Environment] is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the making of great places across Northern Ireland. PLACE is composed of a multi-disciplinary team combining expertise and extensive experience in architecture, town planning, visual art, curation, design, social science, education, research, community engagement and event management.