L.A.’s Housing Need Indeed World Class

It was heartwarming, to actually see in Sam Hall Kaplan’s column (Nov. 6) a (liberal!) voice reminding our profession and the building industry that not all design issues are stylistic; perhaps the most significant ones are those we can never truly see. Sadly, this emphasis appears to be the current focus of much architectural discussion, which becomes “exclusivist,” at least to the extent the jargon is turgid and obscure.

Obviously, the practice of architecture is a complicated undertaking and the creation of beauty is important. But the creation of needs-responsive, humane spaces is the greater issue. All too often it seems “design” conferences become reflections of personal indulgences, and not opportunities to gain insight into how a vexing problem was solved--hopefully with grace.

STANLEY KENISTON

San Diego