The Scotsman

I was interested to read Trevor Davies's thought-provoking piece on Edinburgh in this column and the need for a new kind of architectural thinking which recognises places and people as well as buildings. There is indeed some fabulous architecture in the city, as there is in Scotland, and the appointment of Sir Terry Farrell as the UK's first City Design Champion is to be applauded. However, as an architect, this raises the obvious question with me of what comprises good architecture and design, and who makes this decision. With the appointment of a design champion and the replacement of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland in April with the new organisation, Architecture and Design Scotland (ADS), now is the time, I believe, to have a national debate on the nature of good architecture and design.