Carry on, Morris
Sir: Contrary to the impression given by Laurence Marks' article 'Rocking on its foundations' (Arts, 30 September), The Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture is flourishing and in good health.
I, and those who work in it as teachers and students, failed entirely to recognise the picture of the Institute portrayed in the article. The Institute has achieved a great deal in three short years. We run a remarkably successful and increasingly widely respected foundation course and we are two years into our first graduate course; the University of Wales recognises and validates our courses; the Riba accredits our diploma programme, which is also designated by the Department for Education and Employment and our European summer school has established an enviable reputation as an instrument of practical urban design highly relevant to their modern needs among the cities of France and Italy which have played host to it.
Since the Institute began, our students have worked regularly with communities as diverse as London's East End, Birming- ham's Balsall Heath, Hulme and Belfast. We have influenced, and helped to build, a wonderful example of a contemporary arts and crafts building in West Sussex. We have helped the city of Ripon to plan major improvements and uplift of its ancient centre. We offer a master's and doctoral programme in visual Islamic and traditional arts which, in its combination of theory and practice, is probably unique in Europe.
I believe this is a remarkable beginning, by anyone's standards.
Morris of Castle Morris
Chairman, The Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture, 14-15 Gloucester Gate, Regent's Park, London NW1
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