A question of taste: Louise Cotter

LOUISE COTTER is originally from Tralee in Co Kerry, but lives in Cork. She is one of the lead architects and co-founder of Carr Cotter Naessens (CCN) Architects, the firm that has won several awards for its work on dlr Lexicon, the library and cultural centre in Dún Laoghaire.

Best recent book: Tender by Belinda McKeon. It’s a well structured book, bittersweet but funny.

Best recent film: Unusually I’ve had a run of three great films in a row: IDA, by Pawel Pawlikowski, which is totally absorbing; Phoenix with Nina Hoss in the lead; and before that Force Majeure.

Best recent show/exhibition/gig you’ve seen: Laura Marling at the Olympia, which is a wonderful intimate venue allowing the performer and audience to really communicate. She doesn’t do running commentaries though, the music works.

What formats do you access music? iTunes, CDs, whatever is in the car.

Best piece of music you’ve been listening to lately: Having recently spent a week driving teenagers around South Kerry, what’s in my head is In Colour, by Jamie xx —happy music!

First ever piece of music or art or film that really moved you: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Tell us about your TV viewing: Anything on BBC Four.

Radio listening: I love routine broadcasts like the Sea Area Forecast, and John Kelly. Name your two favourite architects of all time? Dead: le Corbusier or Alvar Aalto. Alive: David Chipperfield

Apart from your own designs, if you had to pick one favourite building in a) Cork; b) Ireland; c) the world ... which three would you select? In Cork, the Glucksmann. In Ireland, perhaps the library in Trinity College (inside) and Busaras (outside). In the world, outdoor rooms like the Campo in Siena or Piazza San Marco or the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is an incredible space.

Most expensive item of clothing you’ve ever bought: Probably a cashmere coat by John Rocha, but it lasted for 20 years!

Tech habits: I’ve been using Macs since the beige Performas! CAD/twitter/weather/camera/phone/talking maps — its scary…

Unsung hero — individual, organisation or group you think don’t get the profile/praise they deserve: Hospital staff everywhere. Cork Guide Dogs are justifiably praised — the work they do changes people’s lives.