Architectural Criticism

Key points

• Criticism
• Varieties of criticism
• Architectural criticism
• Criteria in architectural criticism
• Qualities of Good Critic
• Criticism and Theory
• Exercise
criticism …

Criticism

• the analysis and judgement of the merits and faults

of a literary or artistic work. It is also the study,
evaluation, and interpretation of literature, artwork,
film, and social trends.

• Alternative terms for Criticism: evaluation,

assessment, examination, appreciation, appraisal,
analysis, judgement, comment, interpretation,
explanation, explication, elucidation, annotation,
opinions, views, observations, remarks…
Varieties of criticism …

Some of the varieties of criticism include:

- Positive criticism
- Negative criticism
- Constructive criticism
- Theoretical criticism
- Aesthetic criticism
- Logical criticism
- Factual criticism
- Critical criticism ….
Architectural Criticism …

Architecture criticism

• It mostly amounts to an assessment of the

architect's success in meeting his or her own aims
and objectives and those of others. The assessment
may consider the subject from the perspective of
some wider context, which may involve planning,
social or aesthetic issues.
Architectural Criticism …

• criticism in general aims to know and give

alternatives and solutions and give a deeper
understanding of the problem and find the axis of
variance and not just for criticism. It also offers
solutions that create greater sustainability for the
architectural project.
Criteria in architectural criticism …

• Some of the Specific criteria to consider in

architectural criticism include:
- Aesthetics
- space
- Proportion
- Functionality
- Architectural style
- Choice and use of building materials
- Built environment or context
- Entrance/Access
- Sustainability….
Criteria in architectural criticism …

• Architecture can be judged using different

standards. Some standards may be more
appropriate than others. As the case may be, the
criteria used to evaluate a hospital building differ
from those used to evaluate an office building.
Qualities of Good Critic …

Critic is a person who judges evaluates or criticize.

In Serious criticism, Good critic has seven qualities:
• Principled: A critic should be fair, ethical and
empathic.
• Plausible/Reasonable: Criticism must encompass
both the mind and the heart.
• Placed: Good architecture criticism understand
context, be it social, economic, environmental, or
cultural.
Qualities of Good Critic …

• Convincing: The critic has to build a persuasive

case brick by brick.
• Passionate: A critic must have a passion and
ambition that extends beyond simply taking stock
of the latest tower.
• Provocative: Critics must be daring.
• Public: Architectural criticism is a service profession.
Qualities of Good Critic …

• Good criticism does not provide general theories or

public opinion but provides accurate and precise
criticism that is highly transparent and provides full
and correct information about architectural design
in terms of uses and spaces through a clear and
straight record.
Criticism and Theory

• The theory is the main analytical tool used by the

objective critic, because it represents strength and
tested intellectual rules, in other words, the theory is
a tool for objectively criticizing.

• There is an integrated and reciprocal relationship

between theory and criticism in architecture, where
architectural theory and criticism are central and
important areas of architecture, so we need to
define the integration and the interplay between
theory and criticism in architecture to identify the
main axes through which to work.
Criticism and Theory…

• The strong relationship between architecture and

criticism, described as integrated and interrelated, is
that the interrelationship between theory and
criticism in architecture and is not a one-way
relationship but a periodic one, where each field is
affected by the other through the so-called
Successive approximation.
Criticism and Theory…

• Theory supplies criticism by Criteria of architecture

quality, Terminology and Analytical methods, so the
theory is an analytical and critical tool, in another
hand Criticism supplies theory with Studies and
analysis, Product, Behavior analysis and Cultural
and social studies, this cycle is Successive
approximation.
Criticism and Theory…

• There are three levels or major dimensions of

criticism of architectural theory:

1) the form and structure of the theory

This criticism is concerned with testing the structure
and form of the theory that is to know whether it is a
real theory or merely an opinion and hypothesis, so
the critic must examine the characteristics of the
theory. Such as universality, objectivity, and support,
because these characteristics are the basic
requirements of the statement to be theoretical.
Criticism and Theory…

2) The content of the theory

This criticism is concerned with clarifying the issues,
topics and subjects studied by the theory, as well as
testing the degree of comprehensiveness of the
theory. In addition, criticism is concerned with testing
the relationship between theory, reality, society, and
context.
Criticism and Theory…

3)The relationship between theory and practice

Criticizes the relationship between theory and
practice. At this level, criticism is concerned with the
study of the relationship between theory and practice
to illustrate the role of theory in practice. Most critics
focus on the separation of theory and practice.
Architectural criticism…

Parthenon, Greek
Architectural criticism…

Milan cathedral, Italy

Architectural criticism…

Santa Maria Novella

Architectural criticism…

VM Houses by BIG
Architectural criticism…

Glass House, Philip Johnson Farnsworth House, mies van der

rohe
Architectural criticism…

Mesob Tower
Architectural criticism…

Ryugyong Hotel, North Korea