Architects Should Plan for Rain

Having to make several trips to John Wayne Airport in the recent pouring rain and getting soaked because both the arrival and departure loading areas are open to the elements reminds me of how out of touch with reality some of our California architects are. They, and those who hire them, seem to think it never rains.

Many of our fine, new office buildings boast of “covered parking.” That’s the good news. The bad news is that the parking structure is separated from the building entrance by a few hundred feet of open plaza--usually surfaced with slippery tile or marble.

It would be interesting to know if this architectural holdover stems from the tradition of the bungalow home with detached garage--or the Norm’s/Denny’s/Bob’s Big Boy school of layout in which the customer is forced to park in back and then hike around to a front entrance.

SCOTT BRAKE, Irvine