From comments made by students to letters alumni sent to The Cynic, the design of the Redstone Lofts has been a controversial topic since they were built in July.A letter to the editor sent to The Cynic in early January from David Beitzel, a University graduate in the class of 1980, addressed the appearance of the Lofts.I agree with the 70 percent calling them hideous on the outside, Beitzel said. They are. Whatever happened to an architectural review board that might say no and not approve something so out of place? I wonder if UVM has one.While the University does not have a formal architectural review board, it does have a history of master planning dating back to the 1960s when architect and Vermont resident, Dan Kiley, drafted UVMs first Campus Master Plan, of which concepts are still used to guide the planning of campus today, said director of Campus Planning Services Linda Seavey.Other experts think that the design and concept of the Lofts fit in with the Universitys values.Establisher of Architecture International, P.C. Alain Youkel expressed his approval of the Lofts architecture in relation to the aspects of the current generation in the Redstone Lofts Design Narrative.We view architecture as a social functional art form that achieves more than its programmatic, code and monetary mandates, he stated. Good architecture is reflective of the current generations values, lifestyle and aesthetic diversity. The design and development team behind the Lofts goal in creating the new residences was to mimic modern architecture, Seavey said.The Lofts blue, white and gray colors were selected to integrate with the sky and change along with weather and light differences throughout the day and evening, Seavey said. They bring a playful color experience, even in the gray days of a Vermont winter.Seavey explained how each part of the Lofts was created to serve a specific purpose.Not only were the Lofts designed with aesthetics in mind, the technology used in the buildings is also extremely energy efficient, she said.The exterior paneling is made out of a rain screen system, the horizontal and vertical breaks create appeal for the eye and the system acts as a second skin that makes the building moisture resistant, Seavey said.Despite the Lofts functionality, many students said they still feel like the Lofts do not coincide with the rest of the University.Sophomore Seamus Byrne said he thinks the Lofts take away from the natural scenery of Vermont.The Lofts are ugly, out of place and most importantly block the view on Redstone of the mountains, he said.Others have commented on the Lofts appearance not blending in with traditional UVM architecture.The Redstone Lofts just dont match any of the other buildings around it, sophomore Ramisha Saeed said. It sticks out like a sore thumb and ruins the view from the dorms on RedstonePresident Thomas Sullivan also said he does not completely agree with the design of the buildings.It is important to have a coherent architectural design for the campus that reflects existing building design and coexists in the environment and beauty of UVMs historical campus, he said.