The regulatory and support body for Irish architects, the Royal Institute Of Architects In Ireland, (RIAI) has thrown its weight behind a move to twin the buildings and overall environment of Dublin with those of the Chinese city of Beijing.

The RIAI, represented by President Paul Keogh, was invited by Dublin City Council to participate in the official twinning of Dublin and the Chinese city.

The Dublin delegation was led by the city's Lord Mayor and City Manager, John Tierney.

Lord Mayor Gerry Breen, who presented a copy of the RIAI Annual Review, Irish Architecture to his Chinese counterpart, also acknowledged that the quality of recent Irish architecture has a value - economic, social and environmental.

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He said that the twinning is expected to open up business opportunities between Dublin and Beijing.

The mission will also be used as an opportunity to support both cities as destinations for education, tourism, and foreign direct investment.

RIAI works to maintain and develop an environment in which good architecture and a quality built environment can be delivered by architects to the social, cultural, economic and environmental benefit of Ireland.

The RIAI Gold Medal, the premier award for architecture in Ireland, is awarded for a building completed within a defined three-year period, some years after completion so that the building can be evaluated in a mature state.

Other RIAI Medal awards include the Silver Medal of Housing and Silver Medals for Conservation and Restoration.

Architecture Ireland is an architectural magazine for Irish Architecture and the Official Journal of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.

(BMcC/GK)