Architect attacks 'old-must-stay' view of buildings

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Archiseek / UK / Scotland / News / 2004 / June 3

One of Scotland's leading architects said yesterday that the heightened attempts to protect the nation's built heritage, after the loss of Alexander "Greek" Thomson's former offices, were "regressive" and stifled contemporary works. Alan Dunlop, of the firm of architects which designed the award-winning Radisson SAS hotel in Glasgow, dismissed calls for changes in the law to safeguard historic buildings. Mr Dunlop, whose firm also recently won a Europa Nostra award for its work at Glasgow's Central station, said it was short-sighted for authorities to save buildings merely because they were old. He said: "Listing a building just for the sake of listing it is regressive and a huge disservice to Scotland and contemporary architecture.

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