This first International symposium on reading, writing and criticism in architecture highlights and challenges reflections and responses to pressing questions ranging from situating architectural criticism today in a global neo-liberal market, passing through history as an indicator and marker of positions on contemporary criticism. It explores the art of criticism in China and its similarities and differences with the methods used in the west where the ideas of “being modern” have been challenged. It will finally discuss the relationship of pedagogy with the subjects. The debate will allow us to draw hypothetical conclusions as to where the education of architects may be leading; as well as exploring this recurring struggle of universities around the world to place architectural design in a “research” context.

This first International symposium on reading, writing and criticism in architecture highlights and challenges reflections and responses to pressing questions ranging from situating architectural criticism today in a global neo-liberal market, passing through history as an indicator and marker of positions on contemporary criticism. It explores the art of criticism in China and its similarities and differences with the methods used in the west where the ideas of “being modern” have been challenged. It will finally discuss the relationship of pedagogy with the subjects. The debate will allow us to draw hypothetical conclusions as to where the education of architects may be leading; as well as exploring this recurring struggle of universities around the world to place architectural design in a “research” context.