Welcohhhto week 8

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
1950s
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?
Introduction/Context
Site
Features
Evaluation both positive and negative
Its BE significance
Other features?
Conclusion

Critiquing a building/
site/ interior/space
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/ interior/ space/ site
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
Critiquing a building/ space/ site/ interior