2009-05-12 15:10:05 -

LONDON (AP) - It will be a gala event at the Royal Institute of British Architects _ if anyone shows up. Some of Britain's top architects plan to boycott a dinner marking the group's 175th anniversary to express their anger at Prince Charles, the keynote speaker.
They say they are angry about his constant criticism of modern architecture _ dating back a quarter century to his last speech at the institute _ and his opposition to a major, steel-and-glass tower project on an important site in central London.
Charles' detractors are upset about British press reports that indicate the outspoken prince contacted members of the Qatari royal family, the main investors in the project, to try and steer them away from the modernist design planned for the site.
Prominent architect Will Alsop, who signed a public letter urging the boycott, said Charles is entitled to his views but should not try to subvert the open, democratic planning process by using his personal power and influence to create problems for projects he dislikes.
«This site came onto the market years ago,» he said, describing the plan to redevelop the old army barracks in the exclusive Chelsea neighborhood of London.
«You don't suddenly do it by having one royal family whisper to another royal family in Qatar when people have already spent millions of dollars preparing this scheme. It's a misuse of his very powerful position.
Alsop said Charles' opposition has created serious problems for some firms because once he opposes their work it becomes more difficult for them to get planning permission for projects.
Charles' opposition to the modernist movement in architecture is long-standing. He spelled out his feelings before the RIBA in a landmark speech in 1984. He has frequently spoken out against the lack of human-scale values and scale in many modern, mega-projects and said London was losing its unique architectural heritage.
This view has made many architects suspicious of Charles' taste, but it has apparently been well-received by the British public.
Jonathan Glancey, architectural critic of the Guardian newspaper, said opinion polls suggest about 80 percent of the public shares Charles' point of view.
«He does speak for a large part of the population,» said Glancey, who believes Charles has had a positive influence on the debate over the merits of modern versus classical architecture.
He said he hopes the princes uses his speech as a chance to «kiss and make up» with the architectural establishment after a 25-year breach.
Charles has concentrated on environmental issues in recent years rather than seeking to expand his argument with architects, and his speech Tuesday may sidestep the issue.

He plans to discuss the need for sustainable architecture, according to a statement on the institute's Web site.
That is not a controversial topic _ but his opposition to the barracks redevelopment project has angered some top names in the architecture world, including Norman Foster, Frank Gehry and other luminaries who have signed letters urging Charles to remain on the sidelines.
The barracks redevelopment plan calls for steel and glass towers designed by world-famous architect Richard Rogers to be built next to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a classical building by Christopher Wren, the renowned 17th century architect who designed St. Paul's Cathedral and other London landmarks.
The 13-acre (5.3-hectare) development would include a hotel and 552 apartments. It is a mega-project by any standard _ the site alone cost 959 million pounds ($1.44 billion).
The Westminster City Council will consider the plan with hearings expected to begin in June.