Arrogant architects
From Mr Christopher Montgomery Sir: Viscountess Sidmouth suggests that my claim that 'few buildings prosper when their architect insists on knowing better than his client' is 'quaint' (Letters, 12 February). Ris- ible, perhaps, over-dogmatic and under- informed most likely, but not, I hope — her admirable defence of her late first husband Francis Pollen withstanding — quaint. In my defence I adduce modern Britain: all around we are oppressed by a landscape in which too many architects have got their way.
Regardless of how many examples we can cite of wise patronal interventions which no one would now change in favour of the architect's unsullied original vision, the point at issue is surely that buildings belong to those who commission them.
Even if Francis Pollen's postwar clients were superstitious and conservative Irish priests — and acknowledging that his churches aren't quite the hardcore curdle- milk-at-forty-paces kind — his employers' preferences would have done less visual and spiritual damage than his.
Christopher Montgomery
Beechbrook House, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland
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