On Disney Hall

Architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff is at it again (“In Search of Material Gain,” Aug. 1).

He still calls Frank O. Gehry’s design for the Walt Disney Concert Hall “a substantial victory against the commonplace and the mediocre,” despite the shocking change from stone to metal for the exterior of the building. If the stone would have been hard to maintain in the smog, the metal will be impossible.

In no time, this “cultural landmark” will be the biggest--and most expensive--junk heap in the world. Why keep beating a dead horse? Let’s start anew!

GEORGE KEMENES, Los Angeles

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In the last few months, Calendar has twice quoted Walt Disney Concert Hall construction manager Jack Burnell as “jokingly” comparing it to “the crash of a 747.”

My youngest sister and her 12-year-old daughter were killed in the crash of a 747--TWA Flight 800. I found the quote quite disturbing. I have written to Mr. Burnell but also want to raise with you whether these articles could have made their points without including such a grossly insensitive quote.

VIRGINIA COINER CLASSICK, Woodland Hills