Piano Strikes Right Chord
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As a resident of Huntington Beach, where we have been involved with our own city’s development of cultural activities, I was very impressed in 1987 to learn that Newport Harbor had selected Renzo Piano as architect for that area’s new art museum.
I was then saddened to read that he had been replaced. I did not know too much about his background, other than his having been the architect for Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris--a wondrously spacious and people-oriented museum.
The article in your May 17 Calendar section (“Architect Speaks Up on Ouster”), which related that Mr. Piano’s longtime mentor was architect Richard Neutra, further convinced me that he is most qualified for the project.
Richard Neutra designed our outstanding Huntington Beach Central Library, which opened in 1975. As a volunteer there, I’ve spoken with many people visiting Southern California from all over the world who have come to our city to see our library.
Mr. Piano’s quote, “Architecture is just the mirror of the (community’s) dream,” says it all. Huntington Beach’s dream was made possible by Richard Neutra.
I can’t imagine affluent Newport Harbor settling for anything less than the best--is there any chance of their reconsidering?
VIRGINIA WHIPPLE
Huntington Beach
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