Module 4/5

Syllabus
• Module 4
• Architectural Criticism: Definition & Sources, to examine
fundamental questions of what Architectural criticism actually is,
its role and function in architecture and the relationship between
criticism and judgment. Specifically in terms of, thinking,
discussing, and writing on architecture, social or aesthetic issues.
Positive and Normative theories of Jon Lang.,
• Architectural Criticism types: Definition, Sources, Types of
Criticism according to Wayne Attoe
Syllabus
• Module 5
• Design Logic: Design generation process: Role of logic and intuition
in concept generation. Step by step development of design from
problem definition, site analysis to post occupancy evaluation as the
last stage of design.
• Contemporary Significant Theory: Ideas of Hassan Fathy who
pioneered the use of appropriate technology for building in Egypt,
especially by working to re-establish the use of mud brick (or adobe)
and tradition as opposed to western building designs and layouts
and Paolo Soleri's concept of "Arcology", architecture coherent with
ecology. Shape of built environment to come. Floating, walking,
plug-in, satellite settlements, earth sheltered etc. Works of
Archigram, Paolo Soleri, Kenzo Tange, Moshe Safdie etc.
ARCHITECTURAL CRITICISM
Architectural Criticism?
• Architecture
• the art or practice of designing and constructing buildings
• Criticism
• the analysis and judgement of the merits and faults of a literary or
artistic work
• Derived from Greek ‘kritikos’ (decisive) &‘krinein’ ( to judge or discern)
• In every day usage it the word has become synonymous with
negativity, with pulling things apart, fault finding.
• Is neutral(maybe positively and/or negatively judged)
• Architectural Criticism
• Implies criticism found on the built environment and the process of
creating architecture
Architectural Criticism- its role and
function in Architecture
• In Design studio?
• In History/Theory?
• Vitruvius, Renaissance theorists, alberti,
• Palladio- Palladian style (villas) new language
• Laugier(neoclassical theorist)- criticism of Renaissance
• Gothic revival- violet le duc, john ruskin
• Greek Revival- Quincy, Semper
• Adolf loos neutra, tange metabolism (form follows function)
• venturi- less is bore., jencks- post modernism,
• Eisenman and deconstructivism
• Kenneth frampton-critical regionalism, christpher alexander- pattern language
• Amos rapoport (grand design vs folk architecture)
• Geoffrey broadbent: design generative theories
• History vs Theory vs Criticism?
• Role in Practice?
Relationship between criticism and
Judgment
• Relationship between criticism and judgment. Specifically in terms
of, thinking, discussing, and writing on architecture, social or
aesthetic issues.

• On what basis do we criticize?

From Architectural Theory
• What constitutes good architecture?
• History: “Function, durability, aesthetics- triad”
• Roger Scruton- (differentiates architecture from arts)
1. Utility or function
2. Highly localised quality
3. Technique
4. Character as a public object
5. Continuity with decorative arts and corresponding multiplicity
of aims
Need for Architectural
Criticism
• The goal behind criticism should never be insulting the
architects or their designs, rather it should be pointing out the
wrong in order to improve the whole situation.
• it is criticismʼs role to assess and promote the positive effects
architecture can bring to society and the wider world
• Criticism, like architecture, stands on the shoulders of
something called theory
• no theory, no revolution
• so many constructs available
• we sort through them on the basis of both affinity and
practicality
https://www.arch2o.com/principles-architectural-criticism/
POSITIVE AND NORMATIVE THEORIES
OF JON LANG
Positive and Normative Theories of Jon Lang
• His work is a means of conceptually dividing “theory in general” into
positive and normative domains.
• Positive theories are descriptive and explanatory systems that, can
identify casual links, can predict future behaviours of the object in
question
• The word as is
• What is
• Positive or descriptive theory consists of statements and assertions
describing and explaining reality and capable of extension into predictions
of future reality
• The aim of positive theory is to derive a large no of descriptive statements
from a single explanatory statement.
• Makes sense of the myriad complexities of the world
• Scientific Theories are of this kind
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=BJZ8XzXvLvkC&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=positive+and+normative+theories+of+jon+lang&source=bl&ots=PSBA
Positive and Normative Theories of Jon Lang
• Normative theories, on the other hand, include a wide range of ways of doing that
belong to the realm of convention, or “rules of thumb”
• Involves prescription for action through standards, manifestos, design principles and
philosophies stemming from an ideological position of what should prevail in the world
• The world as it might be,
• What ought to be
• Informed by positive theory, built on positive theory
• Value-laden
• Action is taken based upon such tacit factors as “this is how we’ve always done it,” or “this
way is tried and true”
• Normative theories can also describe, explain and predict
• But do not have the logical rigor of positive theories
• Can lead to great variety of empirical outcomes
• Largely motivates actions taken in design practice
• Not as testable as positive theories
• demonstrated by conventional practices that have withstood the test of time
Positive and Normative Theories of Jon Lang
• Normative theory examples
Positive and Normative Theories of Jon Lang
• Procedural issues are
concerned with
• praxis and process
Designe
• and deal with creativity, Creator
r
analysis, synthesis, evaluation
Acquisition of action prescriptions
and research
• Set of principles that guide the architect in making
• Substantive issues decisions about the complex problems tat may arise
in translating a brief into the design of a building

• are concerned with

phenomena, environmental Emphasis of theory in
qualities and functions, architectural education
aesthetics, behaviour and the
determination of the emphasis
on these
Positive and Normative Theories of Jon Lang
Positive and Normative Theories of Jon Lang
Positive and Normative Theories of Jon Lang
Positive and Normative Theories of Jon Lang
Definition, Sources, Types of Criticism according to Wayne Attoe

ARCHITECTURAL CRITICISM TYPES

Wayne Attoe
• Born 28 December 1940
• Designer, author, architectural educator
• Education
• AB, Cornell Univercity, 1963; Bachelor of
Architecture, University of California,
Berkeley, 1967; Doctor of Philosophy, Union
Institute, 1975.
• Notable Work:
• Author of “Architecture and Critical
Imagination”
Types of Architectural Criticism according to
Wayne Attoe
• In “Architecture and Critical Imagination”, Wayne Attoe stresses the importance
and prevalence of criticism in the field of architecture, ranging from: critics
columns in newspapers, journals, and magazines; teacher remarks in the design
studio setting; between architect and client; architect and contractor; architects
and policy makers, and between architects.
• His opinions of criticism come from his experiences as both a student and a
teacher and he observes that, “Too often when criticism starts, excuses begin, and
so defensiveness gets in the way of good, responsive work” .
• Attoe strives to bring a better understanding of the methods of criticism, “so that
instead of threatening and intimidating, criticism can be used as a tool for
generating better work”.
• Attoe also reiterates the behaviour of criticism includes the three categories of
description, interpretation, and evaluation.
• He also identifies that criticism falls under three basic groups: normative criticism,
interpretative criticism, and descriptive criticism.
Types of Architectural Criticism according to
Wayne Attoe
Normative Doctrinal criticism
criticism: Systematic criticism·
Typal criticism
Measured criticism

Interpretative Advocatory criticism

criticism
Evocative criticism

Impressionistic criticism

Descriptive Depictive criticism

criticism
Biographical criticism

Contextual criticism
Types of Architectural Criticism according to
Wayne Attoe
• Normative Criticism,
• grounded in the belief that there is “a model, pattern, standard, or principle
against which its quality or success may be assessed”.
• In the category of normative criticism falls doctrinal, systematic, typal, and
measured criticism.
• Doctrinal criticism has as its basis a doctrine, such as; form follows function, and
tends towards “the belief that there is a single approach for accomplishing our
purposes and a single standard for measuring our achievements”.
• Systematic criticism is an “alternative to the single doctrine...[it] is an interwoven
assemblage of principles or factors, a system for judging”.
• Typal criticism is based upon structural, functional, and form types.
• Measured criticism assigns numerical standards to provide the norms against
which something is judged. For example, criticism of a public square may take into
consideration the proportion of the size of the square in comparison to the height
of the buildings surrounding it.
Types of Architectural Criticism according to
Wayne Attoe
• Interpretative criticism,
• Is highly personal.
• As Attoe explains, “the interpretative critic seeks to mould others’ vision to make them
see as he does”.
• The three techniques of interpretative criticism include: advocatory, evocative, and
impressionistic criticism.
• Advocatory criticism (Defensive) is employed by a critic who is an advocate of a building or
place and is, “concerned primarily with engendering appreciation, not with passing judgment”.
• Evocative criticism (Associative)“uses whatever means are needed to arouse similar feelings in
the reader/viewer. The evocative critique is not right or wrong, but a surrogate experience”.
• Impressionistic criticism “uses the work of art or building as a foundation on which the critic
then constructs his own work of art”. Can be spontaneous viewpoints of the critic

•
Types of Architectural Criticism according to
Wayne Attoe
• Descriptive criticism,
• “more than the other forms of criticism, descriptive criticism
seeks to be factual...it does not seek to judge nor even to
interpret, but to help us see what is actually there”.
• Descriptive criticism includes depictive, biographical, and
contextual criticism.
• Depictive criticism (Figurative) does not judge, but merely depicts
what exists; such as, how people move through a space.
• Biographical criticism provides others with and understanding of the
artist in order to allow a better understanding of their intentions.
• Contextual criticism provides information about the social, political,
and economic context in which something was designed.
Types of Architectural Criticism according to
Wayne Attoe
• The ideas of criticism and critical theory Wayne Attoe suggest a rich
understanding of a theoretical basis of criticism and the many forms it
may take.
• All of these theories have one thing in common; criticism is not only
about the object being criticized but more importantly the critic.
• Our individual perceptions of the world around us inevitably cause us
to have inherent biases.
• It is recognizing that each critic does not produce a final judgment
about an aesthetic experience but rather, “once the bias in a critic’s
assessment or position is recognized, those who are the objects of
criticism are freed of the burden of final judgment and can drop
defences and learn from the frank encounter with the other whose
life has been touched”
DESIGN LOGIC
Design Process
• Many approaches
• Purely intuitive, indescribable one
• Rational Process
• Argumentative Process
• Most critics agree that it is divided into a number of phases
• Three models
• The Systematic Model
• The Rational Model
• The Environmental Model
Design Process- Systematic Model
• The Stage Phase Approach
• Sequences involving different stages and processes
• start of one activity is dependent upon previous activities reaching their end
• Normative in character
• The Fundamentals of Engineering Design-
• Design Process: 1- Analysis, 2- Synthesis, 3- Evaluation and decision, 4- Optimisation, 5- Revision,
6- Implementation.
• Gugelot's design method was formed of six stages: 1- Information stage. 2- Research
stage. 3- Design phase. 4- Decision stage. 5- Calculation. and 6- Model making (Gugelot,
1963).
• Broadbent (1973) suggests, the common viewpoint of the “Conference on design
Methods” on the process of design can be outlined as: I-Analysis, 2- Synthesis, and 3-
Evaluation
• Archer: three interrelated realms for the process - namely external representation,
process of activities, and the problem solver
• Archer introduces a process which involves: training. programming, data collection,
analysis, synthesis, development, and communication, with some feedback loops
Design Process- Systematic Model

Archer’s Process
Design Process- Systematic Model
• According to Thomley (1963) design stages consisted of:
• 1- The Accumulation of Data
• 2- The Isolation of a General Concept or "Form".
• (a) The Essential Purpose of the building.
• (b) The relationship of the Building to the Individual.
• (c) The Relationship of the Building and its Occupants to the Surrounding Social and Commercial
Pattern.
• (d) The Relationship of the Building to its Physical Surroundings.
• (e) Economics.
• (t) Preliminary Consideration of Spatial and Formal Organisation.
• (g) Preliminary Consideration of Structural Organisation.
• (h) The Establishment of the "Form" into the Final Organisation.
• 3- The Development of the "Form" into the Final Scheme.
• (a) Detailed Consideration of Spatial and Formal Organisation.
• (b) Detailed Consideration of Structure.
• (c) The Development of Architectural Values.
• 4- The Presentation of the Final Scheme.
Design Process- Systematic Model
• The staging in the RIBA '5 Plan of Work is as follows:
A. Inception,
B. Feasibility,
C. Outline proposals,
D. Scheme design,
E. Detail Design,
F. Production information,
G. Bills of quantities,
H. Tender action,
I. Project planning,
J. Operations on site,
K. Completion,
L. Feedback.
Design Process- Systematic Model
• AlA's model of the design process includes the following six steps:
• 1- Pre-Design, including programming, feasibility studies, master
planning, and developing prototypes;
• 2- Schematic DeSign, developing preliminary design ideas and
concepts;
• 3- Design Development, providing architectural drawings and
identifying architectural organization;
• 4- Construction Documents, including shop drawings, specification
writings, and construction details;
• 5- Construction Administration, supervising construction and making
revisions;
• 6- Post-Design, including post-occupancy evaluation, user's manuals,
and evaluation research.
Design Process- Systematic
Model
• Swinburne's (1967) phases are: definition, analysis, synthesis,
development. implementation, operation, and evaluation.
The Design process-The Rational Model
• Christopher Alexander (1964). (though rejected by him)
• His model, which is applicable to all the environmental design professions, divides
praxis into two major phases: analysis and synthesis.
• The analytical phase in his approach consists of decomposing a problem into
components that are as independent of each other as possible,
• establishing a hierarchy among them, and
• then finding patterns of the environment that meet the requirement of each
component of the problem.
• The process of designing is seen as the synthesis of these parts into a whole.
• Alexander proposed some mathematical routines for the decomposition component of
the analysis phase and introduced the concept of "pattern" as a way of linking problem
components with solutions.
• It is the decomposition algorithm based on highly simplistic linkage criteria that
Alexander has rejected; the concept of pattern as a central part of a designer's thought
processes has been developed by him and his colleagues in a number of publications
The Design process-The Rational Model
• Studer's (1970) model
1. Defining the requisite behaviour system;
2. Specifying the requisite physical system;
3. Realising the requisite physical system;
4. Verifying the resultant environment-behaviour system.
• In modem architectural terms, the first step is to define the
function, the second to design the form, the third to build it,
and the fourth to evaluate the function-form relationship.
The Design process- The Environmental
Model
• Jon Lang (1987). He sees the design process as an
argumentative process involving conjectures and evaluation of
these conjectures.
• Intelligence, Design, Choice, Implementation, and Post-
implementation Evaluation are the basic phases of the
environmental design process, although
• People more involved in professional praxis may prefer to call
them Programming, Design, Evaluation and Decision,
Construction, and Post-occupancy evaluation "(Lang, 1987,
p.4s).
The Design process- The Environmental
Model
• The goal of any Intelligence activity In design praxis, as Lang (1987)
defines it i to identify and understand the problems being
addressed.
• He introduces these activities as
• Identification of the problem situation,
• Identification of the groups of people,
• Identification of constraints
• The formulation of goals,
• Designing the behavioural program,
• Designing the physical layout requirements,
• Evaluating the present environment,
• Deigning building programmes
The Design process- The Environmental
Model
• "conjectures" he means
different design types
which influence an
architectural design
solution,
• • By "refutations",
however, he examines the
fit of spaces to activities,
environmental filtering,
cultural symbolism, and
environmental impact (
The Design process- The Environmental
Model
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