What is high-quality architecture, and what exactly defines architectural quality? The contributions to the 2022 International Conference on Architectural Criticism lay a rigorous foundation for assessing works of architecture.

The essays collected in this volume cover the spectrum of issues that determine the quality of architecture. For example: What exactly is architectural quality? Is it based on physical facts? Is it a matter of cultural context? Does it lie in the eye of the beholder or is it actually beauty that matters? Do architects' intentions and ideas provide the keys to a building's evaluation? Does it rest primarily in its form? Or in the ethical attitude it expresses? Or is it just a group of critics deciding these issues among themselves?

While quantitative-technical evaluations of buildings abound internationally, the qualitative assessment of architectural works has so far been largely neglected. This unique anthology on definitions of architectural quality ranges from general observations and theories to case studies, and lays a rigorous foundation for assessing works of architecture.

• A comprehensive collection of accessible texts covering the entire spectrum of issues relating to the qualitative evaluation of architecture

• Explores all aspects of the topic and offers for the first time a complete definition of architectural quality

• The qualitative evaluation of buildings is largely neglected worldwide in favor of quantitative and technical assessments

• The International Conference on Architectural Criticism has established itself as a center of competent and independent architectural criticism

Autorentext

José Manuel Pozo ist Architekt und Koordinator der Internationalen Kongresse zur Architektur des 20. Jahrhunderts in Pamplona und Direktor der Lateinamerikanischen Architekturbiennale (BAL). 1994-2017 war er als Lehrer und in leitenden Funktionen an der Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura der Universidad de Navarra tätig.

Wilfried Wang ist Architekt und Präsident des International Committee of Architectural Critics CICA. Er forscht und lehrt als Changjiang Distinguished Scholar und Professor an der Tongji Universität in Shanghai.