O'Connell St Source: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE of Architects (AIA) is teaming up with Dublin architects to help re-imagine part of the city centre.

The Framework project is a collaboration between architects, Dublin City Council, Dublin Town, community and business leaders, the general public and others.

The focus area is the Dublin One District from O’Connell Street running as far as Capel Street and from Parnell Street to the Quays.

Source: Dublin Town

Representatives from the AIA will visit Dublin from 9-13 March to engage with local stakeholders and members of the public before devising a plan for the future vision of the area. This is the first time the AIA’s design assistance team programme has conducted a project like this outside North America.

A public consultation workshop will take place at the Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street on Friday, 10 March at 6pm.

Dublin Town has encouraged as many people as possible to attend this consultation. In a statement, the group said: “The more attendees at this workshop, the more beneficial it will be to the Dublin One area and the city centre in general.”

Speaking about the project, Dublin architect Ali Grehan said: “Places often struggle because individuals and organisations are pulling in different directions and design solutions are imposed from above.

“The AIA design assistance programme brings these diverse people together at the earliest stage to agree the issues, prepare the process and implement lasting design solutions.

“The programme has a proven track record in delivering great outcomes for communities, which is why we’re collaborating with the AIA in introducing the programme to Dublin.”

‘A vibrant European city destination’

Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town, said the work done by the AIA in other locations “speak for themselves”.

We are sure that the report that they will provide for us in Dublin will yield valuable inputs combining both innovative ideas and best international thinking. Dublin One is a key district in Dublin city centre which has enormous potential to be a beacon of imaginative regeneration that is also sympathetic to its heritage.

“We are confident that with the co-operation of its stakeholders the district will once again be a key vibrant European city destination,” Guiney said.

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AIA design in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Source: AIA

AIA design at Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico Source: AIA

Joel Mills, senior director at the AIA, said the organistion is ”proud” to be part of the initiative.

“Through the design assistance process, we hope to empower the citizens of Dublin to envision a future for Dublin One and begin building that future together,” Mills said.

The AIA team will present their recommendations to the Lord Mayor of Dublin Brendan Carr at a public event in the Gresham Hotel at 6pm on Monday, 13 March.

People can register to attend the public consultation workshop here.