Architectural ‘CRITICISM’

What architecture is ?
(how it is judged)

 Theories (in term of which buildings should be evaluated) about

what architecture is are concerned with identifying key variables –
like space, structures or social processes.

 for example, according to Bronu Zevi SPACE is the fundamental

ingredient: “to grasp space, to know how to see it, is the key to the
understanding of building.”

 Theorists often rely on analogies to see/evaluate architecture.

• Analogies provide a way to design task in hierarchical order.
• So architects can know which things to think about FIRST of the
design process.
The recurrent analogies to explain architecture:

 Mathematical analogy
 Numbers and geometry provide an important basis for decision making
in architecture.
 Pure form: cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders….. Most beautiful forms.
 Golden section/number has most often guide. Its proportion is 1 : 1.618

 Romantic Analogy
 It is evocative / suggestive
 an emotional response in the observer.
 Linguistic Analogy
 Convey information to observer

 Mechanical Analogy
 ‘a house is a machine for living’
 Object that are straight forward that simply express what they are and
do, will automatically beautiful.

 Problem-Solving Analogy
 Rational, logical, systematic approach to architectural design

 Adhocist Analogy
 Adhocist approach is to response to the immediate need.
 Pattern language analogy
 Typological , standard pattern of need. ( housing)
 Architectural Criticism
• Criticism in architecture is
the record of responses to
the built environment.
• It includes all not just
negative ones.
• Sensitivity (Delicate discrimination;
especially of aesthetic values) rather
than judgment is the key
feature of criticism.
 Method of criticism
1. Normative criticism
2. Interpretive criticism
3. Descriptive Criticism
 Normative Criticism

 It has as its basis either

 A doctrine
 form follow function, less is more, function should follow form.
They should express ideology, structure, construction method,
regional climate, material ….

 A system
 It’s an assemblage of elements or principles that are interrelated.
 A systematic critique will be more comprehensive than one based
upon doctrines.
 “a building as a climate modifier, a behavior modifier, a cultural
modifier and a resource modifier”
 Type
 Its a generalized model for a specific class of things.
 Typical criticism may address itself to any of three aspects
of a building: its structure, its Functional organization
and its form.

 Measurement
 its the assessment of a built environment against well-
defined, usually numerical standards.
 Is there a fire exit within 100 feet of each room?
 These are based will be stated as either minimum,
averages or preferred conditions and reflect the various
goals for the building.
Technical, functional, behavioral consideration.
 Interpretive Criticism
• Its highly personal.

• The critic is an interpreter whose own vision is

more important than any external standards.

• It suggests a new way of seeing the object.

 Descriptive Criticism
 It seeks to identify facts that are applicable to one’s encounter with
a particular environment.

 It does not judge, nor does it interpret.

 It simply helps people to see what actually exits.

 Its points out what the building is made of and how it is organized.

 Also explains how the building or urban setting works as a

dynamic environment.

 Finally it explain the process through which the building design was
generated.
Thank You.