Persian Palaces: Carefully Constructed or Full of Flaws?

Beverly Hills is a very diverse community that is open to new and different ideas, but it’s also looking to preserve the quality of its residential character (“In Defense of the Persian Palace,” by Greg Goldin, Dec. 17). The author uses architectural references to describe Persian Palaces under the misguided thought that authentic details make for a defined architectural style. The City of Beverly Hills Design Review Commission looks beyond these elements to the core of the design in terms of its proportions, massing, context and overall aesthetics.

Unlike clothes that can be changed easily when fashions change, homes built today will be part of this community for a long time, probably beyond the occupancy of their current residents.

Gary Gilbar

Chairman

Design Review Commission

City of Beverly Hills

One word encapsulates architecture represented by the Persian Palace: flauntulent.

John J. Kuiper

Los Angeles

My first and lasting impression of these monolithic blots on the cityscape is that they are where their occupants go to die. Rather than Persian Palaces, I would name them Neo-Mausoleums. Whatever the redeeming features of their interior uses, their exteriors suggest degraded human values. They are a pall of cement.

Don Mac Brown

Beverly Hills