Semper semper.

SIR: Semper's 'Bekleidung' principle is key for designing contemporary layered construction, as well as for understanding Roman, Byzantine, Moorish architecture. It is essential even for truly apprehending the implications of the opposite monolithic/Gothic/Ruskinian ideal.

All relevant modern architecture is heir to Semper's theoretical work, elaborated and passed on to us in writings and buildings by Otto Wagner and Adolf Loos, among others. The statement that Worb station is 'the first adaptation of Semper's odd ... wacky theories ... in 100 years' [J. P. AR August 2004] is a brazen display of supreme ignorance which simply should not be tolerated in a magazine with any aspiration of contributing to knowledge and understanding, and to respect for knowledge and understanding, in the architectural field.

I have come to expect acritical critiques of senseless blobs and folds and titanium cow-pies showing up in every other AR issue. Senseless display of senselessness is very bad enough already. Please do not start now poking sense-less fun at the cornerstones of contemporary architectural sense.

Yours

IGNACIO AZPIAZU

Buenos Aires, Argentina