Sir – Some new buildings are instant eyesores, such as the orange block of flats in Thames Street, which offend the senses straight away, especially when they replaced vernacular inspired housing. Other buildings take time to offend, such as the Blavatnik School in Walton Street.

This building will be opened shortly to a fanfare of praise, appear in all the architectural press and, no doubt, win design awards. It will take the passage of time to realise that this structure is alien to all its surroundings, offensive in so many ways and built for personal glorification. Its darkened glass frontage, lit at all times, will appear as a pulsating boil on the face of Walton Street.

In years to come people will question how such a monstrosity was allowed to be built. The answer will lie with the city council whose craven attitude towards the demands of the university have allowed so much of the city to be disfigured.

Paul Hornby
Jericho