Why are young people leaving Dublin? Does Dublin leave them? Join us for this conversation led by young architecture graduates who have left Ireland. Have they left their heritage in favour of a future?

Open Table 2025 empowers people to participate in expert-led discussions on the topics of Diaspora, Diversity, Design, Demolition and Democracy. 

Our first table will be hosted by Aoife Casey and Paul Stewart (Dawna collective). Aoife Casey is an architectural graduate from University College Dublin who works for London based practice DMBA. She uses drawing as a key tool in her work, blending artistry with architectural drawings to story tell and communicate thematics, recently exhibiting a drawing in the 195th RHA Annual Exhibition. She is currently involved in a diverse range of projects from large scale retrofits to small smaller heritage interventions.

Paul Stewart is a writer and designer from Dublin whose research examines the tension between bodies and capitalism in the city. Their writings on vacancy, squatting, and urban dissent have been published by Type, Rupture Cinema, and have been exhibited for the Open House exhibition Squashed Living. They have worked in practice for Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects in Paris, and freelance on multiple informal renovation projects throughout Europe. They are currently based in London working for Butler Hegarty Architects on multi-scalar heritage projects

The Open Table series takes place over lunch at IAF House at Charlemont Square, Dublin 2 and lunch will be provided. Places are limited so book early. 

Open Table events take place at IAF House, Charlemont Square, Dublin 2. This is a temporary use space and does not have direct access to toilet and washroom facilities inside the space. Participants and visitors have full use of toilets, including an accessible toilet, located in a separate adjoining building approximately 100 metres away in distance. The space and doorways open wide and the venue does not have any steps or stairs.

Please contact us at bookings@architecturefoundation.ie if you require ISL interpretation or have any access requirements.