All Letters to the editor articles – Page 89
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OpinionEverything has political aspect
In his debate on architecture and politics (BD June 1) Robert Adam writes that “to promote architecture as a primary political activity is a naive and arrogant.”
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Opinion
Homes alone
I refer to your excellent report on the Thames Gateway (May 18). I was a social housing architect for 18 years with the Peabody Trust, and in my experience quality comes at a price — finances, time, inclusiveness and ownership.
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Opinion
Making a stand
The question of whether or not architects, as a profession, should engage in politics (Debate June 1) is determined by what you accept to be the role of a professional.
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Opinion
Shaky ground
Charles Jencks (Letters June 1) might be interested to know that there was no such state as Palestine in 1907 as the area was part of the Ottoman Empire.
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Opinion
Positive feedback
As a contribution to the debate about how to improve late 20th century modernist icons it is a shame Christopher Woodward’s feature on the Royal Festival Hall was not more positive about improvements to the RFH auditorium.
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Opinion
Depressing view
My stroll last Sunday along the riverside upper deck of the Royal Festival Hall in anticipation of its opening this Friday after the £92 million refit was depressing.
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Opinion
Complex issues
The petition against Israeli architects working in East Jerusalem organised by Abe Hayeem and Charles Jencks, although well intended, is simplistic and imbalanced. It ignores wider issues affecting the region such as the complex political background and the violence of the conflict, as well as the sustainable urban issues affecting ...
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OpinionSixties add-ons not all bad
Congratulations to you and the architect Allies & Morrison on the superb refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall (Works June 1).
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OpinionPublicity is vital
So Michael Peters of Identica (offices in Canada, UK, USA & China), whose mission statement is “discover, create, optimise the brand experience”, has reacted to our petition with the threat that we “are going to burn our bridges with a number of developers — Israeli, British and European”.
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Opinion
Political points
The RIBA, led by Jack Pringle, continues its fight for political correctness. In a primarily white society, it is not surprising that this is reflected in the make-up of the profession. Most architects achieve middle-class status, and the relatively small percentage of women members arises from a complex social history.
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OpinionHuman league
Greatly though I respect Sam Webb’s persistence, I fear we overlook the one feature common to the succession of errors that led to condemnation of the Ronan Point system — personal responsibility.
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TechnicalEverybody gets together — if there’s a space
Public space must be one of our values if we want a healthy society
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Opinion
Even-handed
I was interested to read your front page urging Israeli architects to end works in disputed territories.
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Opinion
No to BD politics
I do not think that articles carrying quotations on controversial political issues should be headline news in BD (May 25). Do we not have enough of that stuff in the general media? Have we run out of valuable architectural subjects?
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Opinion
Area of conflict
While I applaud the government awarding grants to improve energy-inefficient homes (News April 27), it seems that giving grants to buyers of low-scoring properties would boost sales of these properties, albeit marginally, and so work against the principle of energy performance certificates, which aim to encourage buyers to purchase efficient ...
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Opinion
African realities
In his review (May 18) of the RIBA South African architecture exhibitions, Tom Woolley raises some good points but he misses the target on architectural education in South Africa, particularly at the University of Cape Town, where I trained. His comments are typical of an outsider looking in.
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Opinion
We must object to Israeli actions
Michael Peters’ invoking of the community of developers as a reason for not protesting against the further dismem-berment of Palestine (News May 25) is in the worst tradition of intimidation.
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Opinion
Trend setter
The illustration to your note on Airey houses is actually of a Seco timber-framed temporary bungalow. Although designed for a 15-year life, many examples remain, well-loved by their inhabitants and consistently defended by them against demolition.
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Opinion
Poverty track
Your leader correctly points out that the Practice Question (May 20) “offers some sound observations and useful suggestions,” but the poverty of most architects relative to doctors and solicitors is far from new.
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Opinion
Pie in the sky
Your photograph of the infamous three 14-storey slab blocks in sixties Everton (“A century of housing” May 18) brought back many memories.