More Opinion – Page 145
-
-
OpinionObject lesson
It is safe to assume that new museums are going to be few and far between in the coming decade.
-
OpinionBuck stops here
Lynch Architects should have no problem securing planning for its Victoria Street development, but another architect working in the same street may find it rather harder to please the neighbours.
-
OpinionSketchy details
As live blog reports rolled on the death of Osama bin Laden, ghoulish newshounds were able to experience the action in 3D – thanks to the work of architectural hobbyists with time on their hands.
-
OpinionPut your own house in order
The housing minister needs to offer more than rhetoric to make self build a viable option
-
OpinionWho cares about design integrity?
The drive for high profits will stymie quality development in the square mile
-
OpinionShould architecture firms offer unpaid internships?
Yes, if they don’t replace regular job opportunities, says Julian Weyer; while Shane Lincoln argues that practices stand to benefit from their interns.
-
Opinion
If you can’t afford to pay staff, don’t employ them
From Stephen Pennington, Christchurch, Dorset:Nigel Coates should come down from his no doubt well-heeled academic world and understand the law of the land in relation to employment (“Anger as Coates offers unpaid work at practice” News April 21, 2011). It is illegal to employ someone at less than the national ...
-
Opinion
Few benefits to unionisation
From Ian Catherall, WakefieldUnions are not the answer for architects (News April 21). I’ve looked into Prospect. You pay a monthly fee and get no real tangible benefits (except for maybe representation at disciplinary proceedings). As the article says, it will only “campaign” for better pay and benefits but won’t ...
-
Opinion
Missing figures in VAT argument
From Andy Dale, Plymouth:David Rogers’ article “Flatten the buildings or flatten VAT?” (BD Reviews April 15) set out on an exciting premise. But is it me, or is there basic mischief at work with the figures? After all, the main piece of evidence was a report that seeks only to ...
-
Opinion
Dancing in the streets of Chester
From Chris Benson, Stoneleigh, Surrey:As a morris dancing architect, I have to lodge a protest at Francis Roberts’ swipe (Life Class April 21) at the pedestrianisation of Chester city centre on the strange grounds that it “only encourages morris dancing”.I have enjoyed dancing in Chester myself and appreciated what a ...
-
OpinionFriends reunited
Peter Cook, who is to be one of this year’s Stirling prize judges, has been a staunch critic of the way the RIBA selects the jury. Two years ago he complained that the panel, which included Stephen Bates, would be too sympathetic to Tony Fretton’s Fuglsang Kunstmuseum.Boots just wants to ...
-
OpinionDo architects need to be represented by a union?
Yes, says Jon Goodbun, unions could tackle issues like low pay; while Brian Waters thinks the profession needs to focus on its relationships with clients
-
OpinionA union is not the answer
A less tepid RIBA would be a more effective way of safeguarding the profession’s future
-
OpinionBarbie didn’t pick the easiest option
It’s tough when Architect Barbie has better career opportunities than real women in the profession
-
OpinionPlans for Nigel?
Rumours are sweeping the corridors of power at the RCA over who will get the much-coveted dean of architecture job, a new post charged with delivering an enlarged and reinvigorated school of architecture with up to 200 students.Nigel Coates, the RCA’s professor of architecture, would love the job, but will ...
-
Opinion
Healthcare sets the precedent
Architects can and should be at the front in delivering procurement cost reductions in the school sector (News April 15).
-
-
Opinion
Latin quarters
Perhaps Roger Scruton should take a drive along the A35 and see the latest part of Poundbury – multistorey blocks of poor classicism with knobs on.