Letters.

PRIVATE FINANCE, PUBLIC WOE 

SIR: We learn from your November issue (p36) that the US of all places has a programme of national design competitions for public buildings intended to improve their quality and to offer opportunities for young architects. Why is it that a UK government so besotted with America that it is apparently prepared to copy almost anything that happens there always seems to miss the good US models? Instead Britain has PFI forced onto practically every contract: guarantee of a disastrous public realm in future.

Yours etc

JAMES HILLHEAD

Birmingham, England

FRIENDS OF BIRZEIT

SIR: The continuing siege and curfews in the West Bank, and the destruction wrought on the whole Palestinian infrastructure, including ongoing harassment of schools and universities, has created a crippling shortage of books and equipment, including at the school of architecture at Birzeit University.

While CAD is taught from the third year, the first two years still use traditional drawing board equipment. If any architects or firms have redundant T squares and set squares, and books and journals they can spare, these would be gratefully received. Please contact: Friends of Birzeit University

1 Gough Square

London EC4 A 3DE

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]