It’s easy to blame the architects for the glut of “look-a-like” housing developments throughout the country.


In the main I agree with P Sheurer’s comments (14 December, page 27). However, I feel it is so easy to blame the architects for the glut of “look-a-like” housing developments throughout the country.

Naturally in the case of a lot of builder/developers the issue will be one of keeping costs down and getting as many units as possible on any given site. At the end of the day, the architect can only guide and advise but the final say lies with the local authority planners. So, rather than “design by committee” I feel that we have a “design by sandwich” system. Builder/developer-architect-planner. The architect being the soft centre that everyone chews on.

William R. Ellis

Topics