Taking issue with Ouroussoff

Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff worked himself into such a breathless frenzy during his overwrought review of pretentious Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas’ Seattle Central Library, I think I almost blushed between contemptuous eye rolls at how ridiculous Ouroussoff’s claims were (“Shimmering Break From Conformity,” May 21).

Ouroussoff loves boxy glass and steel buildings that impose themselves over the sidewalk. And the Koolhaas library in Seattle is more of the same. The Blue Whale portion of the Pacific Design Center has been around for more than 20 years and is far more interesting, but it has something Ouroussoff hates: a setback from the curb. The Seattle Central Library’s geometric forms and lines and the glass and interplay of light and open space have all been done before and much, much better.

Jeff Softley

West Hollywood