Kate O’Hea

BArch  MRIAI  Accessibility Auditing (UL)
Associate Director

Kate O’Hea has been practicing with Brian O’Connell Architects since 1997. She is a member of the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland and has completed Accessibility Auditing training with University of Ulster.

Kate has a particular expertise within the practice on the delivery of healthcare projects with a particular emphasis on accessibility in clinical design. She is also responsible for overall professional development within the practice.

Kate has gained extensive experience working on a range of project types throughout her career with O’Connell Mahon Architects covering all stages of a project’s course, from design development to tender preparation and project handover. She has developed particular interest in the delivery of detailed medical planning elements and accessibility provisions on
projects within the health sector.

Kate was responsible for the healthcare planning and delivery of the the award winning Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore. She has acted as Project Architect for the Adolescent Unit extension at St Vincent’s Hospital Fairview; Ward Upgrade Works at the National Rehabilitation Hosptial Dun Laoghaire; new Outpatient’s Department at St Lukes’ Hosptial Kilkenny; and the extension to Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital. She has also worked as Clinical Architect at Community Nursing Units of Farranlea Road and Ballinacollig both in Cork.

Since successfully completing the Accessiblity Auditing course with University of Ulster Kate has had responsibility within the office for auditing all new projects for accessibility and the provisions of Part M of Building Regulations and delivering proficient submissions to local authorities for Disability Access Certificates for all projects commencing on site since 2010.

Kate has experience also in the design and delivery of community, educational and conservation projects; as Project Architect for the Courthouse at Blanchardstown, Dublin and for the Convent  for the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood in Ballinasloe; and as Assistant Project Architect for the Education Centre at the Law Society of Ireland and Castlecoote House and Demesne restoration works in Roscommon.