I was saddened by and sympathetic to Basil Rathbone’s reasons for leaving the RIBA (Letters, May 3), but I was especially struck by his question: “What interest does it show in my struggle to win work against non-architects?”

RIBA headquarters, 66 Portland Place

Source: Creative Commons/ Cmglee

RIBA headquarters, 66 Portland Place

The contrasting argument came from Dickon Robinson on the facing page (Debate May 3): “Architecture attracts the brightest students and they have a longer training than others, so they should be capable of mastering this territory.” Or, I would add, any relevant territory.

While respecting Rathbone’s situation, I know which vision I prefer, and I trust that those currently cogitating about architectural education and training will bear it in mind too.

Peter Gibbs-Kennet,
Bisley, Gloucestershire

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