Member Article

Forging links with Sri Lanka

The City of Newcastle recently played host to visiting architects from Sri Lanka as part of the Commonwealth Association of Architects’ 50th anniversary celebrations.

Instead of heading straight to London for the celebration event, which takes place over three days starting on 16th June, the Sri Lankan delegation, comprising 23 architects, was given a guided tour of the City.

Tim Bailey, partner at xsite architecture and a council member of RIBA, was the visitors’ guide during their two-day visit. Tim had planned a full schedule of stops which took in some of Newcastle’s landmark buildings such as the Civic Centre, Newcastle City Library, the Sage and Baltic as well as the Millennium Bridge.

The delegation also visited Ouseburn Valley to see regeneration at its best, stopping off at Seven Stories, the Toffee Factory and 36 Lime Street.

Speaking about the importance of such visits, Tim said:

“I am delighted that the Sri Lankan delegation decided to visit Newcastle to see the city’s many architectural assets. Cultural visits of this type are important, not least because they help establish international ties and communications but they are also paramount to a connected and modern region such as the north east.

“We have many fine examples of old and new buildings and some fine architecture to show off in and around Newcastle.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mandy Peel .