DIVINE DESIGN?

In “The Cardinal’s Architect” (by Nicolai Ouroussoff, Aug. 24), The Times’ architecture critic once again waxes enthusiastic over the kind of sterile, soulless and ugly building beloved only by architects, their students and the critics. The sort of building, in short, that most everyone else hates!

When I looked at the picture of the model of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, I couldn’t help thinking, “Where is the cathedral?” It looked like a slightly off-kilter parking structure.

One shouldn’t be surprised at The Times’ enthusiasm. It follows in the grand tradition of other hideous buildings for which The Times has led cheers--the Music Center, the L.A. County Art Museum, and numerous others that have transformed Los Angeles into the characterless place, at least in terms of its public buildings, that it is today.

ROBERT W. CHADWICK

Blue Jay

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I find it interesting that Jose Rafael Moneo is able to build the new cathedral for $50 million when that was the original gift for Disney Hall.

I suggest that we let Moneo design Disney Hall for the original $50 million and use the rest of the money for an endowment for the Music Center. That way we’ll finally get a concert hall and architecture that will serve its ultimate purpose: music.

JOSEPH H. MacDONALD

Long Beach