All in all there is a lot to be loved about this simple and honest building. It reminds me that architects are more fundamentally related to artistic principles than, say for argument sake, the building regulations. We all start to create on a blank sheet and hope to end up with a composition such as The Long Mile Works.

The basic idea explored in Shan-Zhen comes from Shannon’s transformation, in the late 1950s, into a transatlantic refuelling point and the subsequent establishment of the Shannon Free Zone – the world’s first free trade zone – which resulted in creating a large hub of foreign investment in the area incentivised by tax breaks.

It starts and ends with Herbert Simms: the extraordinary City Architect of Dublin in the early twentieth century, and for me his perfect building is Chancery House, a stone’s throw from the Four Courts in Dublin’s North Inner City.

Last month an intriguing building emerged at the junction of Gardiner Street and Summerhill. This building is not new however, it is 30 years old. The sign said ‘IDA Small Business Centre’ and if you would like to see it you had better hurry as it is about to be demolished.

The weekend of Friday 16th to Sunday 18th October sees the return of Open House Dublin, essentially Ireland’s biggest celebration of nice gaffs. Emma Gilleece explores 13 North Great George’s Street, one of the buildings featured on this year’s programme.

On first impressions, the Guinness Power House is an unmistakably confident building. However, closer scrutiny of its architectural history complicates this identity and exposes a building that lacks the overstatement of other comparable postwar power stations.

The first cultural centre for children in Europe, the Ark is a place where children can explore theatre, music, literature, art, film and other cultural activities in a space created specifically for them

The markets area of Dublin is a hub of activity, smells, sounds and sights. It is where I work, and the inspiration for the first collection from Arran Street East, ‘The pots’. Trading began here in late 1892 and the Fruit and Vegetable Market building is decorated with representations of the goods being sold within.

At numbers 27 and 28 on New Row South in Blackpitts sits an old calp limestone, brick and slate warehouse currently home to South Studios. A former distillery, tannery, warehouse, creative studio and now – maybe – soon to be apartments, much of the history of the Blackpitts and Dublin’s industrial and architectural evolution can be told through this building and its environs.

In Dublin folklore, facts need not interfere with stories. A particularly good story concerns the dome roof of the magnificent Mary Immaculate of Sinners church, on Rathmines Road.

Architect Ronan McCann takes a look at Ashgrove off Meath Street, a rare examples of city centre social housing where the architecture actively helps foster community.

Architect Cian Deegan discusses the over-looked gem that is the Postal Garage on Sandwith Street, sadly not included on Dublin City Councils list of Protected Structures.

Karl Whitney, author of Hidden City, explores the fascinating Abbeville, the physical incarnation of Charles Haughey’s North Dublin power base.

This month in Nice Gaff we check out the swanky US Ambassador’s Residence in Phoenix Park, a slice of American opulence transplanted onto Irish soil.

Built by the City Council (then Corporation) in 1979-80 and designed by architects Stephenson, Gibney & Associates, the two completed, granite blocks of Dublin Civic Offices offer a rhetorical facade to the urban set-piece that could have been.

This month in Nice Gaff, Laurence Lord of AP+E writes about the super-secure flying saucer that is the Embassy of the United States.

Architect Nathalie Weadick celebrates one of Dublin’s building treats, the Timberyard Housing, home to 47 occupants, built on Cork Street as late as 2009

Trinners Library.