(P.2) Carbuncles and Style -

The Tragedy of Modern Architecture

Extract from The Independent, Saturday 21st November 1998


From a speech by the Prince of Wales to mark the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) given at Hampton Court Palace 30th May 1984

' ... What I believe is important about community architecture is that it has shown "ordinary" people that their views are worth having; that architects and planners do not necessarily have the monopoly of knowing best about taste style and planning. ... '


Hear! Hear! Note: the extract above is from the now famous speech which also ended a particular design for the extension to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London,by saying that "what is proposed is like a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend". Any requests to reproduce the speech contact webmaster.
I don't suppose it would be stretching a point to call the Ian Ritchie building, proposed for our much loved friend, a "carbuncle" - or would it???


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