In response to “Morrell: Older buildings must be torn down” (building.co.uk, 25 January): not only were many sixties and seventies public buildings constructed with minimal resources, they were often planned to government handbooks that specified the maximum internal area that could not under any circumstances be exceeded

We have barely recovered from this mindset.

It is for these reasons, as much as for their energy performance or visual qualities, that many sixties and seventies buildings are now unfit for purpose. “Long life, loose fit, low energy” is not a bad specification.

Arthur Acheson, architect, The Boyd Partnership

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