More Comment – Page 278
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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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OpinionBoutique politics and boutique architecture
Outgoing premier Tony Bean gives you an opportunity to thank him for all he has done for architecture in the past decade
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Opinion
An email sent to bdonline (via Babel Fish perhaps?)
Dear Sir or MadameI please it around fast information to a meeting today, with which on an auction architectural drawings are to be auctioneered. I read an invitation in the entrance hall of the RIBA for the opening of the South African exhibition in addition times. Is this meeting today ...
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OpinionStuck in the old buffer zone
The Tories don’t seem to grasp that innovative architecture benefits our cities and culture
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OpinionThat’s enough trips to the movies
Architects in fictional form are a staple of ‘brick lit’, but on film they must be themselves
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OpinionDoes politics have a role to play in architecture?
Paul Hyett believes architects should make a stand but Robert Adam argues that taking politics into the profession is unwise
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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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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
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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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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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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OpinionElegant solutions in intergalactic design
Designing a beautiful solution for an inter-planetary internet is easy — because there isn’t a problem
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Opinion
Plagiarism: is it a crime or a compliment?
Should you be flattered or angry if another architect copies your work?
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OpinionThe route to quality housing
I read with interest your articles on the Williams Report (May 18). It is a shame that the views of council officers were not obtained, particularly design officers, because they are very much part of the process. It is a challenge to raise the bar of the housing industry and ...
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OpinionThree cheers for nostalgic starchitects
A local vernacular is ousting the Gulf trend for mega- design, and very welcome it is too
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OpinionAre the changes to planning rules good for architects?
Hugo Tugman says they will give the profession more control over domestic projects, while Luke Tozer argues they will be more restrictive
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Opinion
Sitting pretty
One of the perks of being the architect of the new Wembley stadium is enjoying the finished result, Norman Foster revealed at the Architecture Foundation’s Real Architecture talk this week.