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I can only look at some of these designs and say I am concerned.

Yes, for the bravura, but no, for the cost, practicality and sustainablity of the approach and what it gives back ot the community.

Considered architectural design has given way to "folded architecture" or freeform flights of fancy with neither sense nor shape nor make to them.

Who decided on the prism approach I ask you? Or the upside down pyramidal concoction? What was the inspiration - the broken glass and paper debris from an office party?

Has someone let the graduates from the advanced course in designer lightshades have free run of the architecture department?

This seems to be yet more of Zaha Hadid's "its about the building, dahlink, not the function" brand of architecture.

These shortlists seem to be yet more reasons for making certain architectural designs are chosen for their considered use of reference and context as well as function, local materials, local craftsmen.

There are European architects designing in China, for goodness sakes and going out of their way to make cultural references and used local materials.

Why are we all wetting ourselves looking a pieces of melted Tupperware? Do they scale that well, or something?

And the location of it in the middle of a cold body of water is supposed to do what? Remind people of the North's industrial glory in yesteryear?

Was it the best site chosen for some real reason to integrate meaningfully into a local community?

Does no one see the parallel between fantasy designs like these and Wall Street chasing share price as opposed to investor value and sustainable employnment and the mess we're in?

Cradle to cradle sustainability studies on this one?

(shakes head)

How is this meant to support its community at large?

They need [we all need] advice on how to survive as labour supply services into an increasingly globalized economy where we'll be competing against Vikram in India who is a qualified architect and works for €100 per week.

They don't need more buildings designed by out-of-town architects to serve a tiny minority of its population who will frequent it in a recession.