Architect and television presenter Hugh Wallace, best known as a long-standing judge on RTÉ's Home of the Year, has died suddenly at the age of 68. In a statement on Instagram, his husband Martin Corbett said he was "heartbroken" and asked for privacy following Wallace's unexpected passing at home.
Wallace became a familiar and much-loved face on RTÉ through Home of the Year, The Great House Revival and My Bungalow Bliss. Celebrated for his enthusiasm, sharp design instinct and warm screen presence, he was the only judge to appear in every series of Home of the Year since its launch in 2015.
© Hugh Wallace
Beyond television, Wallace was a founding partner of Douglas Wallace Architects, helping to establish one of Ireland's leading design consultancies. He worked on hotels, retail projects and homes nationwide, frequently championing the value of good design in shaping community and belonging.
Tributes highlighted his impact: Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised his advocacy for quality architecture, while RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst remembered his passion, openness about his personal struggles, and the inspiration he offered to audiences. Interior designer Sarah Cosgrove described him as vibrant, generous and full of life.
Wallace is survived by his husband Martin, with whom he shared a decades-long partnership filled with creativity and adventure.
Source: RTE
