Architecture Criticism & Esthetics

Engineering College / Architecture Dept.

Lecture2: Types of Architecture Criticism
Dr. MAHA J MALAIKA
MAHAMALAIKA@GMAIL.COM
OUTLINE

u REVIEW
u TYPES OF ARCHITECTURE CRTICISM
u PROCESS
u EXAMPLES
u ACTIVITY
u References
OBJECTIVES

u Understanding main Types of Criticism

u Learning Process of Criticism
u Application / class activity
REVIEW

u What is Art/ Architecture Criticism

u What are the main elements of criticism?

Types of Architecture Criticism
Architecture Criticism :
“is a reaction towards the architectural environment”
Process of Criticism

u Criticism is a critical study of some

subject or theme which seems as:
“For all criticism is based on the
u an interpretation, assessment,
equation:
analysis, judging merits, unfavorable
opinions and systematic inquiry. KNOWLEDGE + TASTE =
MEANINGFUL JUDGMENT.” -
u Critical theory is the philosophical Mendelsohn, D (2012). The New Yorker
appraisal and analysis of society and
culture and it keeps up that
philosophy is the main snag to human
freedom. There are various forms of
criticism occurring in the day-to-day
life. 6
Theory of Criticism process

Interior

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Traditional Types of Criticism

u 1. Theoritical Criticism
u 2. Interpretive –Self Criticism
u 3. Discriptive Criticism

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Types of Interior Art Criticism
Architecture Interior Criticism :
“is a reaction towards the architectural / Interior environment”

‫اﻟداﺧﻠﻲ‬ ‫اﻧواع‬

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1. Theoritical Criticism

u It depends on theories in art, architecture and interior

Theoretical Architectural Quotes such as: Modernism Theory
1. “Form follows Function”..
Americas architect. Louis Sullivan/ Modernism
Wainright Building SL/ USA

2. “Ornament is a Crime”…
Austrian architect …… Adolf Loos

3. ”less is more”:
Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe / Modernism
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IIT Building Mies Van DerRohe Chicago/ USA

1.Theoretical Criticism:
1.

By type of Traditional Modernisim

project Vitruvius Theory 11

Criteria
2. Self- Interpretive Criticism

u • Self-criticism / Highly subjective ,based on standard

or principle adopted by critic and often follows its own
approach and includes three types:
u 1.Subjective: It supports the design { the critic does not
criticize as much as he adopts the position and thought
of designer} Le Corbusier in his book about Contemporary
Architecture.
u 2.Impressionistic: In order to stir some emotions, such as
the use of images or graphics.
u 3.Advocate a theory: such as describing the
administrative center within a city or, living room in the
heart of house 12
3. Descriptive Criticism

u It aims to provide facts 3.

about the design.
u It is usually used to help
understand the design or an
explanation of the project
design to the owner or user,
with no criteria.
u It includes three types:
1. Design Description
2. Biographical
3. Contextual
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3. Descriptive Criticism

u 1. Description includes focusing on:

- The physical side, structural elements, materials.
-Movement or direction or vision of the different spaces.
-Design methodology
u 2. Biography of the designer and his vision for Architecture
u 3. The environment or the Context, the different
influences that played a role in the development of
Architectural / Art work
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Example of architecture affected by criticism
Architecture Criticism Role

u Arch. Criticism through history contributed to

building architectural theory, architectural
culture, and Profession.
u Development in the fields of architecture
during the eighteenth century led to the
emergence of multiple disciplines and appearance
of critics specialists in the field architecture.
Vedio in Class Assignment: 5 minutes!

u https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dotqGZ3B7Bg

1. What is the title of the vedio?

2. What is the aim of the designer
References

-
- Architecture Criticism, Ideology, 1985, Joan Okman

- Art Criticism". Comprehensive Art Education. North Texas Institute For Educators
on the Visual Arts. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
Last week CW Assignment1

Results:

What type of Criticism ?

1

10
NEXT WEEK

u Architecture Criticism in ancient times