Taking Care of Business
Letters to the Editor

CLARIFICATION
Re: Shangri La Emerges Again ... in East Texas

Summary: Ed. note: Last week, we mistakenly wrote that the Shangri La project was certified LEED® Gold instead of LEED Platinum as it had earned. Although we corrected the error before most readers saw the story, we want to make sure that the project gets the credit is deserves. Also, Lake|Flato Architects served as architect for the project, but, like all LEED-certified projects, Shangri La required a great team effort—by the architect, owner, landscape architects, engineers, and consultants—and we would like to acknowledge that. Just sayin’.

Re: Should we include addresses with award-winning projects information?

Ed. note: Last week, in response to a suggestion that we include addresses so that readers could visit award-winning projects, we put the question to the membership. The letters we received reflect both sides of the argument.

Unless the owner prefers to remain “off the map,” I say include the address. It would be disappointing to find that I had visited a certain city and find that I was two or three blocks from a recognized project. With some now carrying GPS systems, one could enter the address into the program before leaving home and go right to the project. I say “yes.”

—Gordon E. Landreth, FAIA
Cotten Landreth Kramer Architects & Associates Inc.
Corpus Christi

I share the desire to actually see a project in person, but this is a selfish desire. Yes, it is true that photos of a project can be deceptive; however, it falls to the jurors to see beyond the carefully taken photos and see the value in the design that lies behind it. Many of our clients would never allow their addresses to be published. They value their privacy and we respect that. To add a requirement to provide addresses of projects in competition entries would result in many of our projects not being able to be entered at all. As architects, we must remember that these projects are the property of their owners, who have no obligation to the architecture profession.

—Michael L. Epstein, AIA
Seibert Architects PA
Sarasota, Fla.

The photos of the Berkeley City College in our November, 30, 2007, issue should have been credited to photographer Mark Darley, who owns the copyright.