True confession: While I’ve walked by SOM’s legendary, landmarked Manufacturer’s Hanover Trust building on Fifth Avenue and Forty-third Street countless times, I never noticed sculptor Henry Bertoia’s custom-designed screen inside, whose recent removal has caused controversy.

While the building’s exterior has been landmarked its interior hasn’t, so there’s no foul play.  Right now Americans are so unabashedly enchanted by mid-century design that it seems like a crime.  Ada Louise Huxtable makes a fine and passionate defense for the reinstatement of the screen, but I don’t know if it’s essential.  When walking by the building, especially at night, it’s still glassy and classy perfection, one of midtown’s real jewels.