The Prince of Wales blasts new generation of skyscrapers warning they will disfigure London
The Prince of Wales has returned to one of his favourite controversies 鈥� modern high-rise buildings, or 鈥渃arbuncles鈥�.
In a lengthy speech delivered yesterday, Prince Charles referred to the notorious phrase 鈥渕onstrous carbuncle鈥� that he coined in 1984 to brand the planned extension to the National Gallery and send shock waves through the architectural establishment.
This time round, he expanded his argument with the words: 鈥淣ot just one carbuncle, ladies and gentlemen, on the face of a much-loved friend, but a positive rash of them that will disfigure and disinherit future generations of Londoners.鈥�
The objects of his ire were 鈥渢aller buildings in our historic towns and cities, and especially in and around the United Kingdom鈥檚 27 world heritage sites,鈥� principally Edinburgh and Bath. 鈥淚n this area I very much fear we are repeating the mistakes of the 1960s, but doing so with even greater hubris and efficiency.鈥�
Incendiary stuff. Is Charles inflaming the architectural profession all over again? Well, this time he tempered his antagonistic remarks with more emollient comments. He even admitted he was not opposed to tall buildings. Instead he was concerned that they 鈥�