Architecture theory & criticism
Architecture theory as a tool
What is architecture theory?
Thinking, discussing and wri�ng
There is no architecture without saying what architecture is
It is a theore�cal construc�on
Towards a mul�ple defini�on
• Concepts: Architectural theory is the body of ideas and concepts
• Posi�oning: Architectural theory defines what architecture is
Deflects on the role of architecture in society
• Quality standards: Develops quality standards that architecture worthy of it’s name must
meet. In doing so, it also implies standards by which projects and
buildings can be evaluated.
The space of architecture theory
• Trea�es
• Avant-garde magazines
• Periodicals
• Anthologies
Aims and limitations
Aims:
Increase awareness
Beter understand contemporary prac�ce
Develop cri�cal and analy�cal skills
Develop research to construct an argument
Four theore�cal a�tudes (Kate Nesbit)
1. Descrip�ve a�tude: It describes a state of affairs in the present or in the past. It offers points
of view, explanations of phenomena by linking different elements of history to society
2. Prescrip�ve a�tude: contains new proposals, proposals for new solutions on reconsidered
answers for a specific problem. The tone is often controversial.
3. Proscrip�ve a�tude: Is controversial. The difference with prescriptive attitude lies in the fact
that it proclaims: not what should be done, but what should be avoided.
4. Cri�cal a�tude or cri�cal architectural theory: evaluates architecture in its relationship to
society. This form of discourse is often politically or ethically oriented and is often intended to
stimulate change.
,Limits of the defini�on
As the defini�on indicates, this star�ng point is by defini�on norma�ve: what is not made according
to these rules is imperfect or no architecture at all.
1. This vision excludes certain forms of architecture or building or, at least, it is difficult to find a
place for them
2. Conversely, a number of problems or ques�ons about architecture find difficult their place in
this defini�on
3. Finally, the close mutual determina�on of architecture and theory excludes a number of
ques�ons about the statue itself from theory
Acceleration
A world in transition
According to Friedman, the world is being changed by three interac�ng and accelera�ng forces:
- Environmental change: is driven by population growth, global warming and biodiversity loss
in the developing world. = Climate change
- Economic change: or the change if the markets mechanisms is according to Friedman driven
by globalisation, and more particularly by digital globalisation
- Technological change: Is driven by Moore’s law. He predicted that the speed and power of
microchips would double every two years, though their size would be halved.
The limits to growth – Aurelio Peccei
The majority of the world’s popula�on are
concerned with maters that only affect family
or friends over a short period of �me.
Conclusions
1. If no changes to historical growth trends would appear, “the limits of growth on earth would
become evident by 2072, leading to sudden and uncontrollable decline in both popula�on
and industrial capacity.”
2. Growth trends exis�ng in 1972 could be altered so that sustainable ecological and economic
stability could be achieved.
3. The sooner the world’s popula�on started striving for the second outcome above, the beter
chance of achieving it.
,Welcome to the Anthropocene
What is the Anthropocene
We are in a new geological era = Anthropocene
The Anthropocene defines the geological epoch defined by the human impact on the earth’s geology
and ecosystems.
• Popula�on growth
• Food produc�on
• Industrial output
• Resource deple�on
• Pollu�on
• Turbulence and crisis
The project of modernity
The origins of our age accelera�on can be associated with the beginning of modernity.
We need to dis�nguish between modernisa�on, modernity and modernism
Modernisa�on
Social development process characterised by technological progress and industrialisa�on,
urbanisa�on and demographic explosions, and strengthening of the na�on-state, growth of
communica�on facili�es, democra�sa�on and expansion of the global market.
Modernity
Based on the idea of human emancipa�on
Belief in the utopia of a beter world
Innova�on can lead to the progress of humanity
Associated with the ideas of innova�on and progress
Modernism
Is a category of aesthe�cs, art-form
The movement reflected a departure from tradi�onal forms of art, religions, philosophy,
social organisa�on and everyday life.
, The crisis of the modern project
A�er WWII, the main ideas of the modern project, its belief in con�nuous progress and its utopian
aspira�ons were called into ques�on.
People no longer shared a common project
Progress not only involved man’s domina�on over nature, but also man’s domina�on over
other people
The crisis of the modern architecture
In 1972, crisis within modernism
• Exemplified by the destruc�on of a par�cular building by Minoru
Yamasaki
• Perfect building, but over�me problems emerged
o Rent became too high
o Building started to break
• The project faced social challenges, violence and drug issues.
The postmodern potential
It describes the emergence of new forms of social and economic organisa�on roughly since
the end of WWII
Jean- François Lyotard – La condi�on postmodern – 1979
Stresses that modernity developed when divine or spiritual stories were replaced by secular
(non-religious) but equally universal stories. = Meta-stories
Post-modern condi�on not one single story that will carry human development, he
proposes a mul�plicity of different and local narra�ves that can no longer be summed up in a
single narra�ve.
Post-modern period is characterized by the end of grand narra�ves
Theories in the Anthropocene
Jean Rockstörm
The scien�st proposed a set of nine planetary
boundaries within which humanity can con�nue to
develop and thrive for genera�ons to come.
Today all of the boundaries are heavily perturbed by
human ac�vi�es.
Architecture theory as a tool
What is architecture theory?
Thinking, discussing and wri�ng
There is no architecture without saying what architecture is
It is a theore�cal construc�on
Towards a mul�ple defini�on
• Concepts: Architectural theory is the body of ideas and concepts
• Posi�oning: Architectural theory defines what architecture is
Deflects on the role of architecture in society
• Quality standards: Develops quality standards that architecture worthy of it’s name must
meet. In doing so, it also implies standards by which projects and
buildings can be evaluated.
The space of architecture theory
• Trea�es
• Avant-garde magazines
• Periodicals
• Anthologies
Aims and limitations
Aims:
Increase awareness
Beter understand contemporary prac�ce
Develop cri�cal and analy�cal skills
Develop research to construct an argument
Four theore�cal a�tudes (Kate Nesbit)
1. Descrip�ve a�tude: It describes a state of affairs in the present or in the past. It offers points
of view, explanations of phenomena by linking different elements of history to society
2. Prescrip�ve a�tude: contains new proposals, proposals for new solutions on reconsidered
answers for a specific problem. The tone is often controversial.
3. Proscrip�ve a�tude: Is controversial. The difference with prescriptive attitude lies in the fact
that it proclaims: not what should be done, but what should be avoided.
4. Cri�cal a�tude or cri�cal architectural theory: evaluates architecture in its relationship to
society. This form of discourse is often politically or ethically oriented and is often intended to
stimulate change.
,Limits of the defini�on
As the defini�on indicates, this star�ng point is by defini�on norma�ve: what is not made according
to these rules is imperfect or no architecture at all.
1. This vision excludes certain forms of architecture or building or, at least, it is difficult to find a
place for them
2. Conversely, a number of problems or ques�ons about architecture find difficult their place in
this defini�on
3. Finally, the close mutual determina�on of architecture and theory excludes a number of
ques�ons about the statue itself from theory
Acceleration
A world in transition
According to Friedman, the world is being changed by three interac�ng and accelera�ng forces:
- Environmental change: is driven by population growth, global warming and biodiversity loss
in the developing world. = Climate change
- Economic change: or the change if the markets mechanisms is according to Friedman driven
by globalisation, and more particularly by digital globalisation
- Technological change: Is driven by Moore’s law. He predicted that the speed and power of
microchips would double every two years, though their size would be halved.
The limits to growth – Aurelio Peccei
The majority of the world’s popula�on are
concerned with maters that only affect family
or friends over a short period of �me.
Conclusions
1. If no changes to historical growth trends would appear, “the limits of growth on earth would
become evident by 2072, leading to sudden and uncontrollable decline in both popula�on
and industrial capacity.”
2. Growth trends exis�ng in 1972 could be altered so that sustainable ecological and economic
stability could be achieved.
3. The sooner the world’s popula�on started striving for the second outcome above, the beter
chance of achieving it.
,Welcome to the Anthropocene
What is the Anthropocene
We are in a new geological era = Anthropocene
The Anthropocene defines the geological epoch defined by the human impact on the earth’s geology
and ecosystems.
• Popula�on growth
• Food produc�on
• Industrial output
• Resource deple�on
• Pollu�on
• Turbulence and crisis
The project of modernity
The origins of our age accelera�on can be associated with the beginning of modernity.
We need to dis�nguish between modernisa�on, modernity and modernism
Modernisa�on
Social development process characterised by technological progress and industrialisa�on,
urbanisa�on and demographic explosions, and strengthening of the na�on-state, growth of
communica�on facili�es, democra�sa�on and expansion of the global market.
Modernity
Based on the idea of human emancipa�on
Belief in the utopia of a beter world
Innova�on can lead to the progress of humanity
Associated with the ideas of innova�on and progress
Modernism
Is a category of aesthe�cs, art-form
The movement reflected a departure from tradi�onal forms of art, religions, philosophy,
social organisa�on and everyday life.
, The crisis of the modern project
A�er WWII, the main ideas of the modern project, its belief in con�nuous progress and its utopian
aspira�ons were called into ques�on.
People no longer shared a common project
Progress not only involved man’s domina�on over nature, but also man’s domina�on over
other people
The crisis of the modern architecture
In 1972, crisis within modernism
• Exemplified by the destruc�on of a par�cular building by Minoru
Yamasaki
• Perfect building, but over�me problems emerged
o Rent became too high
o Building started to break
• The project faced social challenges, violence and drug issues.
The postmodern potential
It describes the emergence of new forms of social and economic organisa�on roughly since
the end of WWII
Jean- François Lyotard – La condi�on postmodern – 1979
Stresses that modernity developed when divine or spiritual stories were replaced by secular
(non-religious) but equally universal stories. = Meta-stories
Post-modern condi�on not one single story that will carry human development, he
proposes a mul�plicity of different and local narra�ves that can no longer be summed up in a
single narra�ve.
Post-modern period is characterized by the end of grand narra�ves
Theories in the Anthropocene
Jean Rockstörm
The scien�st proposed a set of nine planetary
boundaries within which humanity can con�nue to
develop and thrive for genera�ons to come.
Today all of the boundaries are heavily perturbed by
human ac�vi�es.
