Architectural Criticism and Journalism

by Mohammad Al-Asad (Editor), Majd Musa

What is the nature of architectural criticism today? Are critics necessary, and, if so, for whom? These questions, posited by Robert Ivy, were at the core of the international seminar organised to coincide with the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture. As Joseph Rykwert says, criticism in building is an essential part of the building process ... the only way to escape it is to avoid building. The critic, says Mohammad al-Asad translates, decodes, and contextualises the often mystifying languages of architects through the medium of words, as, to continue with Rykwert, he expands, interprets, and recommends the things he loves to his audience. And yet, Mashary al-Naim of Saudi Arabia's Albenaa points out that there is little criticism in the Arab world (succinctly summarised by Peter Davey too), while Budi Sukada from Indonesia says that at present architectural criticism remains a taboo. Instead, Kamran Naderi of Memar maintains that its impact is now being positively felt in

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2007