to the editor: Please, Mr. President, can you do better than this gaudy “Arc de Triomphe” monstrosity (“Federal agency approves concept of Trump's plan for 'Arc de Triomphe' in Washington,” April 16). It is nothing more than an enlarged version of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in 86 feet higher.
The Paris original is located in a monumental central site of the City of Light. Ideal for both pedestrians and vehicles. President Trump's proposed site… well, not so much.
The proposed copy, as shown in the renderings, shows that the main central arch is too narrow compared to the lateral supporting structures. In architecture school, we learned to always consider proportion when designing.
Since the proposed site is some distance from the traditional, classical and formal buildings of downtown Washington, it could have been considered something more interesting and exciting. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis comes to mind.
The triumphal arch in Paris was built to commemorate a French military victory. It seems Trump's arc is destined to do the same.
Dick Helmuth, Costa Mesa
This writer is an architect.
