I see your sexism, and raise you some racism

The Iranians are releasing a car for women - automatic gear box, parking assist for judging space ("Hey, you said it was a good size"), decorative dashboard and it will be in a feminine colour such as red...

Full story here, but it doesn't say it there's only a very narrow windscreen...

What Shall We Do With the Drunken Email?

This sounds like a good idea in principle, but I'm not convinced I'm any better or worse at maths when drunk.

Films CXV-CXVIII

( CXV: Adam's Rib (George Cukor, 1949) )

( CXVI: The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960) )

( CXVII: Ben X (Nic Balthazar, 2007) )

( CXVIII: Teeth (Mitchell Lichtenstein, 2007) )

Totals: 118 (Cinema: 49; DVD: 64; TV: 5)

RIBA Stirling Shortlist

In anticipation of Saturday's award ceremony, the short-list (note I'm judging these from what I've read and photos - and see also http://www.channel4.com/4homes/architecture/riba-stirling-prize/):

Accordia
Architect: Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios/Alison Brooks Architects/Macreanor Lavington
Copyright: Tim Crocker
Client: Countryside Properties
Award: RIBA Award

A garden surburb development in Cambridge - high density housing but with sizeable living space. Looks a bit blocky for my taste, with odd chimneys. See http://www.cabe.org.uk/casestudies.aspx?csid=1291&imgid=4

Biljmer Station
Architect: Grimshaw/Arcadis
Copyright: Ger van der Vlugt
Client: Prorail/City of Amsterdam
Award: RIBA European Award

Cool looking station in Amsterdam: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizono/2889455715/sizes/s/
Brings together railway, a bus station, access to the Ajax stadium, a loggia and a public housing estate. Sexier than St Pancras.

Manchester Civil Justice Centre
Architect: Denton Corker Marshall
Copyright: Tim Griffith
Client: Allied London
Award: RIBA Award

Huge (biggest since Royal Courts of Justice) courthouse, likely to be nicknamed the filing cabinet. Looks like a collection of grey Lego bricks for the central building with colour glass chambers poking out the sides. Apparently very good for the environment - with natural ventilation. I don't like it, but it does look good in polarise light (see http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Manchester%20Civil%20Justice%20Centre&w=all&s=int)


Nordpark Cable Railway
Architect: Zaha Hadid with Patrik Schumacher
Copyright: Werner Huthmacher
Client: Nordpark
Award: RIBA European Award


A cable railway in Innsbruck with four stations which mixed concrete and curved glass. Looks sensuous and pretty.

Royal Festival Hall
Architect: Allies and Morrison
Copyright: Dennis Gilbert
Client: Ian Blackburn
Award: RIBA Award

A makeover of a mid-twentieth century friend, reorientating the building and freeing up public space by shifting the offices elsewhere. I have to say that I liked it the way it was, and on my visit there felt disoriented in a way I hadn't before.

See http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2584787423_4ef1c63609_m.jpg

Westminster Academy
Architect: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Copyright: Tim Soar
Client: Westminster Academy/ Westminster Council
Award: RIBA Award

Frankly looks like a glassed in multistorey car park. From a concrete plaza near the Westway you enter a atrium which is surrounded by teaching spaces - and educational slogans that defy parody.
See http://www.flickr.com/photos/globaldimension/2878826702/sizes/s/ Communication, Global Citizenship and Enterprise. Bleuh. Stephen Bayley calls it a toponymic subterfuge


On screen, I'd go for one of the two railways.

Note the lack of Terminal 5, St Pancras (last year?) and Wembley from the shortlist