'Architecture tsar' blasts ugly buildings

The people responsible for some of Britain's ugliest and most expensive buildings are to be urged to smarten up their act this week by the "architecture tsar".

The people responsible for some of Britain's ugliest and most expensive buildings are to be urged to smarten up their act this week by the "architecture tsar".

Sir Stuart Lipton, who was appointed earlier this year as the Government's adviser on design, will exhort those responsible for government office blocks, hospitals, schools, libraries and museums, to ensure they get better design and better value for money by being more involved in the planning and construction.

A report, Better Public Buildings, is to be launched at a Downing Street reception, and will encourage greater partnership between architects and builders, and the civil servants and politicians responsible for public-sector buildings. Sir Stuart estimates that savings of up to a third can be made by better teamwork.

He also believes that the look of buildings will be much improved through greater discussion - which will come as a relief to those people who, in recent years, have been horrified by public buildings such as the British Library, famously vilified by Prince Charles as a headquarters for the secret police.