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Meet the Team: Dyanne Tuite

Continuing with our series of 'Meet the Team' posts, my name is Dyanne Tuite and I am an Associate Architect at McKevitt King Architects. My connection to the office began in 1973, during its first year in business, when Turlough McKevitt designed our family home in Tullyallen for my parents. Their file is still in the office archive, aptly labelled T01. Consequently, I was on my first construction site as a toddler and I grew up in a ‘McKevitt building’!

I began studying architecture in Queen’s University Belfast in 2000, a major career change after a number of years spent as a teacher. I first joined McKevitt Architects as a summer student in 2001…. and I loved it! Regular student placements in the office continued until after my graduation, when I became a full-time member of staff.

Back during my time as a student, office photos were taken on an analogue camera and Rita O’Hare used to bring the films to Maher’s Chemist to be developed. The fax machine was an essential mode of communication, more frequently used than email. We used paper Ordnance Survey index sheets, stored in a large cabinet, before digital versions were available. SketchUp was yet to reach us, so nearly all our building models were made of card. One of my favourites was of a proposed extension to Millmount Museum which I worked on with Alan Flood, making tiny scale models of the Drogheda Guild and Trade banners.

Millmountmono

A lot has changed over the last two decades in the office in relation to technology. One thing that has remained consistent is the long-standing good relationship the office has with clients, consultants, builders and suppliers. One of the many things that I enjoy about my job is the collaboration with this broad range of people, many of whom have become friends over the years.

In recent years, my work has largely involved Project Management, Contract Administration, the Public Procurement process and Health & Safety. My focus is mainly on domestic and educational projects. There is great variety in the work that I do and every day is different.

Continued professional development is encouraged in McKevitt King Architects and in the last few years I have gained further RIAI qualifications in Conservation and in Health & Safety.

One of my most important responsibilities however, is that of joint social secretary (organising staff birthday cakes, baby gifts etc), a role that I proudly share with Emma Kennedy!

Besides architecture, my interests include art, history and travel, though the latter won’t be an option for the foreseeable future due to Covid-19 restrictions. I have two sons in primary school, so the last eleven weeks have been busy, juggling working from home with home-schooling. New entities such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom & RTÉ Home School Hub have become part of the everyday. My spare time during this period has largely been spent gardening, baking & experimenting as a novice barber.

McKevitt King Architects is a family business, with James McKevitt following Turlough into the office at a very early age. That family ethos permeates the firm and children (or grandchildren!) of staff are always welcome for a visit. My son Conor, who first visited as a baby, returned in a professional capacity last year for a ‘summer job’ and really enjoyed it!

Conor2010 2019

I feel very lucky to work in McKevitt King Architects alongside wonderful people. I look forward to being back in the office with them all again soon.

by McKevitt King Architects

Meet the Team: Dyanne Tuite

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