NATIONAL GALLERY

Sir, Your correspondent Frank McDonald attributes "a work of great complexity in the simple form, with the whole idea of solid…

Sir, Your correspondent Frank McDonald attributes "a work of great complexity in the simple form, with the whole idea of solid elements slung inside a void," to an adjudicator on the winning entry of the competition for the planned extension to the National Gallery.

One would expect the internal design of a modern art gallery should reflect the times within which it was built, but surely the facade should complement or enhance the external surrounding buildings and not be allowed to desecrate the Georgian environment of which it shares. The architectural students saved Hume Street/Stephen's Green in the 60s stimulating the retention of remaining Georgian Dublin. And now, our Art Gallery, custodians of our artistic heritage, are about to vandalise our architectural heritage. A recessed perhaps?

Yours, etc., Bethany, Malahide Road, Swords.