Aaron Betsky’s Criticism of Architecture

In reference to the Oct. 22 review by Aaron Betsky on the Center West Building in West Los Angeles, I would like to express a different point of view.

We were the first tenants in the Center West Building, and by and large chose it for the very reasons Mr. Betsky denigrated it. I don’t believe the Center West Building is just another “sleek planar structure” along Wilshire Boulevard. And the architects, Mitchell/Giurgola, executed more than a design “try” with Center West.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I live in this structure 260 days a year, and I’ve found it to be a wonderful and user-friendly place. In my opinion, the building exudes, both inside and out, a classic elegance and uncompromising quality.

Besides being designed by Mitchell/Giurgola, who also designed the critically acclaimed Parliament Buildings in Australia, the building’s interior lighting was created by Brandson & Assoc., who were also responsible for lighting the bicentennial update of the Statue of Liberty. I would also like to point out the stonework and environmental systems have received rave reviews from many critically authoritative sources.

If this site housed a typical three-story Westwood building, we certainly would not have moved to Westwood. We had many other options. Your readers should also know the owner/management of this building in no way solicited this response.

ROBERT C. FISHER

Westwood

Fisher is managing director of Wertheim Schroder & Co., an investment banking firm.