Vibrant Orange.

SIR: In response to 'The Art of the Possible' by Michael Webb (AR April 2004), I agree on the importance, and somewhat paradoxical development, of the Crystal Cathedral Campus in Garden Grove, California. However, to blanket the description of Orange County as a 'featureless suburban wasteland' where 'everything there is themed' resulting in an 'architectural-free zone', is a rather narrow-minded and outdated critique of our home.

True, Orange County is the home of Disneyland, one the most influential milestones in the development of family entertainment. True, Orange County has been instrumental in the success of the retail phenomenon known as the 'mall' (South Coast Plaza still registers as one the most successful retail ventures around, not 'themed' at all). True, Orange County has developed an influential housing trend that is being propagated as a model around the world. True, we exist between Los Angeles and San Diego, often receiving the population trying to escape these difficult urban environments. I embrace these truths and do not apologize for them.

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Orange County is maturing in the face of her growing urban challenges: how to deal with the influx of well over a hundred people per day moving into this county; how to deal with the planning of an 'urban' community whose genesis is based on the ramifications of the automobile; how to accommodate one of the most diverse, ethnic populations assembled today (somewhat unique is the mix rather than concentration of ethnicity throughout the county).

Aside from the glorious development of the Crystal Cathedral Campus, Orange County has many other treasures of design and influence. Have you seen R. M. Schindler's beloved Lovell Beach House, or any of the houses designed by John Lautner, Bart Prince, Frank Gehry, Irving Gill and our own Mark Singer? William Pereira's planning concepts for Fashion Island and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) (including UCI's ambitious building programme inclusive of the some of the more prominent architects of our time--Eric Moss, Frank Gehry, Charles Moore, Rebecca Binder, James Stirling, and so on). Stroll through the beautiful coastal communities of Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach or the vibrant city centres of Santa Ana and Orange, Visit Isamu Noguchi's California Scenario Plaza and the recently completed Food and Drug Administration Building by Zimmer, Gunsel and Fraska (ZGF). I believe the mission at San Juan Capistrano is considered the 'jewel' of the missions, inspiring a rather remarkable library across the street designed by Michael Graves.

We are young, growing and evolving from a daunting array of modern parameters and inspirations not present in established cities and communities. We are striving and progressing to better our environment. So on behalf of the third largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects in California (1200 members) and 3.2 million residents, I invite you to take a closer look at a truly vibrant, growing cultural and urban community before condemning us as a 'featureless suburban wasteland'.

Yours etc

KEVIN S. FLEMING

AIA Orange County Chapter President, USA