an Professor Andy

McMillan

PROFESSOR Andy McMillan, a former director of the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow who has gained an international reputation in both architectural design and education, will be the senior statesman.

The 70-year-old

award-winning architect was flattered to be involved in an exciting project.

The recipient of the Gold Medal for Architecture award from the Royal Scottish Academy, said: ''My favourite modern house was designed by Finland's most famous architect, Alvar Aalto. It is called The Villa Mairea, a most beautiful big house which was built about 1939.

''I don't see why the Scottish parliament shouldn't be a building that sits well in Scotland. It doesn't have to be tartan. I hope we will get a building which will be a symbol for the nation, not looking back to our glorious past but looking forward to our glorious future.''

an John

Gibbons

Mr John Gibbons has been Chief Architect at

the Scottish Office since 1984 and

is currently

director of the Construction

and Building Control Group. In this post, apart

from

providing advice

on architectural matters to the Scottish Secretary, he is the

Under-Secretary responsible for construction industry, building control, and building procurement

policy in

the Scottish

Office.

n Kirsty Wark, ''the voice of the people''

BROADCASTER Kirsty Wark has been chosen as the people's representative on the panel who will choose the successful architect for the Edinburgh-based building which Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar described as ''one of the most exciting and prestigious architectural projects in Europe at the present time''.

The panel includes independent architectural expertise in the form of Professor Andy McMillan from the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow and Ms Joan Connor, a past president of the Royal Institution of Architects in Ireland. The other panel members are Mr John Gibbons, the Scottish Office's chief architect, and Mr Robert Gordon, head of the Constitution Group at the Scottish Office.

Ms Wark yesterday described her appointment to the selection panel as ''a tremendous honour and responsibility''. The 43-year-old mother-of-two said she hoped the Scottish parliament would be ''perhaps the most exciting new building in Western Europe at the turn of the century''.

Mr Dewar said he was ''delighted'' that she had found the time from her busy life in broadcasting to join the panel.

He added: ''Her wide knowledge and interest in Scottish affairs and her understanding of the Scottish people qualifies her well to represent the public interest.''

Although she possesses no formal architectural qualifications Ms Wark has a ''passionate interest'' in the subject. The daughter of a Glasgow lawyer, she presents a programme, One Foot In the Past, which focusses on more traditional architecture and has chaired architecture-based conferences. She is also involved ''in a very small way'' in the production of a new architecture handbook for students.

Her selection to the panel was welcomed by Professor Charles McKean, of Dundee University's Architectural History department.

The former secretary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland said it was important in a competition of this nature to include a non-architect. ''I think Kirsty will probably be very good. She has been involved in a number of architecture-related projects and has fronted a number of conferences on modern architecture,'' he said.

However, Professor McKean, added: ''I just wish the Scottish Secretary had included an internationally acclaimed architect from abroad on the panel. I believe it would have inspired the competitors to do so much better.

''We want the Scottish parliament building not just to be the best but for it to be considered as being of true international quality. Including a foreign judge of internationally acclaimed standing would have ensured this.''

Ms Wark said she was passionately interested in the parliament and added: ''It has to be a building with a great vision.''

She listed her six favourite buildings and architects around the world as Falling Water, a house by Frank Lloyd Wright; Culzean Castle by Robert Adam; Moscow Underground; Prague Castle by Josef Piecnik; Brasilia by Oscar Naiemeyer; and Thomas Tait's St Andrew's House in Edinburgh.

The Bafta award-winning broadcaster began her career as a current affairs researcher and producer for BBC Radio Scotland. She moved into television in 1983 as a news producer before becoming a presenter on Reporting Scotland. She is best known for BBC2's Newsnight and BBC Scotland's Words with Wark.

n Robert

Gordon

Mr Robert Gordon is head of the Scottish Office Constitution Group - the unit set up following the General Election to implement the Government's proposals for a Scottish parliament.

He joined Scottish Office from university in 1973 and has held various posts in Scottish Office departments, including Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State (George Younger and Malcolm Rifkind) and Director of Administrative Services (responsible for a wide range of support services including accommodation and information technology) until 1997.

n Joan

O'Connor

Ms Joan O'Connor, who was President of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland between 1994 and 1996, said she was ''surprised and flattered'' to be invited to join the selection panel. She lists Benson and Forsyth's extension to the National Museum of Scotland, which is currently under construction, among her favourite designs. The member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, who has worked in Edinburgh, also hailed the Casino at Marino in Dublin among her favourite buildings. Designed by Sir William Chambers, and built in 1758 as a residence, it has become an Irish monument.

Ms O'Connor, 44, is an experienced project sponsor. She has recent experience of serving on juries of international competitions.

She said she was delighted to hear confirmation that the parliament was to be sited at Holyrood: ''It is a very exciting time for Scotland.''