InBrief

A round-up of today's other architecture stories in brief.

Gehry on film

A screening of the film Sketches of Frank Gehry, directed by the architect's friend Sydney Pollack and produced by New York-based Dubliner Ultan Guilfoyle, is being shown today at 6.20pm, as part of the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival. It involves conversations with the architect, shots of his work (including Bilbao, pictured above left) and looks at how he designs - building models, with bits of card and paper, features large. It is a great insight into the man. A real treat.

Sketches of Frank Gehry, Screen cinema, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. To book www.dubliniff.com, tel: 01-635 0290.

Sounding out buildings

Architects will give tours of their favourite buildings in a series on RTÉ Radio 1 every Thursday evening at 8.30pm, until April 5th.

The Architect's Eye series began with a visit to Trim Castle by architect Willie Cumming, who is compiling a series of books on the architectural heritage of Ireland, county by county.

Tonight the programme covers Shandon Bridge, in Cork, by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Pat Ruane, conservation officer with Cork City Council, discusses this new pedestrian bridge over the River Lee.

The series will also look at the Arts and Crafts village of Talbotsinch, Kilkenny; Carroll's Factory in Dundalk designed by Ronnie Tallon of Scott Tallon Walker (pictured above centre); Burt Chapel, Donegal by Liam McCormick; Dunsink Observatory; the Museum of Country Life, Mayo (by OPW) and Wicklow Lighthouse.

Design issues

Architecture Ireland magazine has been redesigned and looks even more sophisticated. At the launch of the new look, RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) president Jim Pike recalled how the publication began as a short bulletin for RIAI members in 1972 and had grown from there into the multi-page glossy it is today. Apparently the change to a magazine format was prompted by Professor Owen Lewis' return from Africa where he had edited an architect's journal and thought it was time Ireland had the same sort of thing.

Formerly only available to members of the RIAI, the magazine is now sold in various outlets including the National Gallery of Ireland and Dublin Airport.

Planning the future

A seminar called the Challenges in Architecture - an Irish context is taking place at the Waterford Institute of Technology's architecture department.

Presentations include a talk by Gary Miley, architect, conservationist and TV presenter asking: Can we improve the planning process? Maire Henry, the head of the school of architecture (pictured above right), will look at the changing role of the architect; architect Alan Mee discusses sustainable urbanism; and Mike Shanahan, architect and author of Cork Rural Housing Guidelines, talks about building in the rural landscape while John Graby, director of the RIAI, will look at issues surrounding the registration of architects.

The seminar takes place in the auditorium, health science building, WIT, from 9.30am-1pm. Email: jcoade@wit.ie. The seminar is free although a voluntary contribution of €10 towards the architectural society student fund would be appreciated.