All Letters to the editor articles – Page 16
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OpinionCutty Sark splits public opinion
The Cutty Sark (News April 20 & 27) has been condemned to share the fate of the seaside-town flowerbed vessels stranded by the roadside, full to their gunwales with mud and pansies for the titillation of sentimental landlubbers.
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OpinionVAT pool defence is demoralising
The extraordinary reliance on swimming pools to imply gross abuse by the wealthy in the discussion about removing the VAT zero-rating on listed buildings (Debate April 27) is derisory, like the branding of major philanthropists as tax avoiders.
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OpinionThe other side of Livingstone
Coming from the architect of London’s most secretive and top-down building, Terry Farrell’s critique (“Farrell tells of fears of Livingstone as mayor” News April 20) of Ken is a bit rich and utterly wrong when it comes to Ken not being close to local communities.
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Opinion
Schools require careful study
As a former group leader in the Schools Division of Somerset County Council, I am glad to see so many pages devoted to school design (BD Reviews April 20).
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OpinionHigh streets need local focus
The high street should be redefined as the place for local enterprise to blossom and flourish (Debate March 30).
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OpinionAirport solution is close at hand
After 50 years, Heathrow is losing its economically critical position for the UK, as Europe’s principal intercontinental transfer airport.
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OpinionWhy Welwyn still works
I share Gillian Darley’s scepticism over the curious relationship between the government and garden cities (Opinion April 13).
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OpinionDoes regulation stunt education?
I interpret Garth Hoskins’ aside (“Architectural education should be tougher” Life class March 30) as being about increasing quality in the profession via education and I would go further to include established practitioners in this.
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OpinionIs the Shard a tour de force?
The Shard is a landmark building and will be recognised as such and be a part of London long after we have all gone to the next world.
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OpinionBeware the desire to spruce
Your front page article “Architects to spruce up pre-fabs” (News April 13) brought back memories for my practice.
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Opinion
Procurement has to change totally
The issue on procurement (News April 5) is really very simple. The more complex the process, the larger the organisation and the more removed the client is from the purchasing — the more expensive it gets.
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Opinion
Look to Asia for opportunities
It seems unfair to criticise Angela Brady for trying to assist the profession in finding more work in Asia (“Why go to China when the answers are closer to home?” Leader March 30).
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Opinion
Biennale pledge makes no sense
David Chipperfield’s claim that his Venice Biennale mix of architects covers some sort of “common ground” (News March 30) is a classic example of a rhetoric gap.
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Opinion
Spare a thought for those in Spain
The UK workload may have declined (Leader March 30) but what about the 90% drop or more suffered by Spanish architects since 2008?
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Opinion
VAT plans ignore heritage needs
Cutting VAT relief on alterations to listed buildings (News March 23) is so obviously the opposite to what is required that the lack of understanding by the politicians in charge is difficult to understand.
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Opinion
We're too slow to criticise bim
As a small practice working on bespoke or tailor-made schemes, most of which involve historic buildings, we have found bim a struggle since we invested in the software five years ago.
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Opinion
VAT relief rule is unfair to owners
The owner of any listed building faces increased costs and restrictions on alterations (“Listed buildings lose VAT relief” News March 23).
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Opinion
Queuing up for Christchurch
Re your report on Christchurch (News March 23), some foreign input will be welcomed but much of the talent required is here.
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Opinion
Save the historic centre of York
If the expansion of Monks Cross shopping centre, near York, goes ahead the council’s consultants say this would take 15-17% of trade out of the city.
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Opinion
TFL cancellation is waste of cash
As the RIBA puts its finishing touches to the procurement reform paper Building Ladders of Opportunity, further evidence has come to light suggesting it’s sorely needed.