I am surprised The Argus assumes Frank Gehry is the world's most wanted architect.

I doubt if evidence supports this or the implied assumption (Voice of The Argus, October 25) that innovation for its own sake is good, that leading architect means good architect or that their designs are beautiful, not merely eccentric or ridiculous.

Many reputations result from transient fashions and reputations publicity-hyped in one age are held in contempt by those who follow.

But there are some universal criteria that, regardless of fashion, apply to functional buildings.

Design must accord with purpose. Public buildings must have some flexibility of usage without squandering space and be at a feasible cost.

Good design should aim for low maintenance cost. But 38-storey buildings of asymmetrical design constructed on shale or chalk are dangerous gambles with respect to maintenance and most importantly, building stability.

Both are undermined by water erosion so there is the threat of collapse and loss of life. Collapsibility is not an architectural virtue.

Good architecture should be suitable for the environment and respect its surroundings in scale and design, it should not pose a threat to its neighbours by damaging the local mini climate, creating dangerous air movement resulting in vortex.

-Oscar Thompsett, Brighton