Sir – Adrian Williams asks (Letters, January 8) about the rusty pillars at Brookes University. This steel is a ‘colonnade’ that runs along a new building but doesn’t stop when the building ends. It shoots out towards London Road.

It is at such a height that it will provide no shelter from sun or rain at any point along its length.

It is made of ‘Corten’ steel which is composed so as to rust a while and then no more. The rust seals the steel which then needs no maintenance. This may appeal to architects and estate managers who promote the rust as a virtue. But is it attractive or is it a blot on these prize-winning buildings? With no apparent function, we must judge this rusty steel as a decoration.

But will this Angle of the South be judged to be as decorative as the Angel of the North (which is also made of Corten steel)?

Chris Coghill, Headington