Welcohhhto week 8
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No reading or discussion today
Portfolio and oral presentation feedback
Assignment 3
Discussion of assignment dates
3 facets of critiquing
Three Faces of a Critique
• Oral presentation critique
• Critique of an academic paper
• Critique of a building/space/
interior
Critique of a presentation
What features can be critiqued?
Critique of an academic paper
What aspects can be critiqued?
Writing an academic critique
For example: book, journal article etc
• Introduction
• Body: 1/3 Summary
2/3 Critique
• Conclusion
Introduction to an academic critique
A short paragraph which mentions:
• The author(s) and the title
• The topic of the text.
• The aim of the text and the key argument.
• a brief evaluative statement of the text.
(This can be a positive or negative evaluation or,
as is usually the case, a mixed response).
The Body
1/3 Summary :
How can you possibly summarise a whole
book into a paragraph or two?
BACK COVER_CONTENTS_INTRO_CONC?
The Body
• 2/3 critique:
- a balanced evaluation of the
strengths, weaknesses and notable features of
the text
- based on specific criteria
(Good reviews also include other sources to
support your evaluation)
The Conclusion
• This is usually a very short paragraph.
• Restate your overall opinion of the text.
• If necessary some further qualification or
explanation of your judgment can be included.
This can help your critique sound fair and
reasonable.
Examples:
Edward Suzuki: Buildings and Projects
http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=19960
7&article=4&typeon=1&highlight=reviews#page1
Heroic Melbourne: Architecture of the
1950’s
http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=19960
5&article=6&typeon=6&typeo
Two examples
• Lowy Cancer Research Centre
http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=201005&article=
11&typeo
• UNSW LAW
http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?issueid=200707&article=
14&typeo
Critique of a
• Building
•Space
• Interior
•Site
What
aspects can
be critiqued?
Critiquing a building/
site/ interior/space
Introduction/Context
Site
Features
Evaluation both positive and negative
Its BE significance
Other features?
Conclusion
Critiquing a building/ interior/ space/ site
Introduction /Context (physical / social / cultural /
political / historical) Are some of these issues addressed
successfully - what were some of the challenges faced in
particular contexts, for example a university?
Site (is the building site specific? Does it respond to the
site?)
Experiential – how is the building experienced / what
does it feel like to enter, move through / etc.
Critiquing a building/ space/ site/ interior
Features – does the building have any significant features
and how to they work / add to the architectural space.
Evaluation- both positive and negative (where the
‘architect’ was successful / where they were less
successful)
Its significance for the users
Other features?
Form- Do people use the space/ how do they use it? Is it
what the designer intended?
Conclusion- your overall reaction