QUEEN'S ARCHITECTURE GRADUATE MAKES HISTORY WITH AN MBE 
26 June 2017
Leading Northern Ireland architect and 1999 Queen’s BSc (Architecture) graduate Johann Muldoon, has made history by becoming the first female in the local profession to be awarded an MBE for her contribution to architecture and business.
This latest honour comes just weeks after Johann was awarded the Best Woman Architect in Europe accolade at the Women in Construction and Engineering (WICE) Awards in London. There she beat off stiff competition from 300 finalists from across 10 countries to claim the title while one of her projects was also shortlisted for the worldwide Architectural Review Future Projects Awards.
Being awarded UK Young Entrepreneur when she was 16 by Sir Richard Branson was just the start in a long list of accolades including a first-Class Honours Degree from Queen’s University in 1999. Johann earned a postgraduate award in her second year and she continued to put Northern Ireland on the map, becoming the Youngest Tutor at the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, winning two Silver Medals for Architecture and The Royal Scottish Architecture prize.
In business, she was awarded best in professional service Northern Ireland, and Business Person of the year in both 2012 and 2015 as well as innovative employer, workplace excellence and more.
“To receive an MBE is really quite overwhelming but very welcome,” says Johann, Managing Partner of Manor Architects.
“I believe that such recognition will be instrumental in my continual drive to address the huge gender gap in the senior levels of architecture. With only 2% of senior positions in practices held by women in Northern Ireland, I am committed to using my experience and passion for architecture to enthuse and inspire more females to fulfil their true potential.”
One of a small number of RIBA Specialist Conservation Architects in the UK, Johann and her practice Manor Architects have completed many wide-ranging projects locally, in the UK and in the US. “Ultimately for me it comes down to giving 100% in all that I do, delivering results and creating buildings,” added Johann. “I am very fortunate to have found a career which I have an affinity with and which I truly love; being an architect is not what I do, but who I am.”
“This honour is truly humbling; in receiving such a recognition I’d like to sincerely thank my fellow Director Aiden Bradley, my team, my husband Gerard McCloskey, my father Ronnie and all those who have supported and believed in me. They have helped me to follow my dream as an architect, businesswoman and mother.”
For further details of Johann Muldoon’s award please contact Catriona Couston, tel: 07808 568 581. Find out more about Architecture at Queen’s here.
General inquiries to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office; tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5321.
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