Can buildings themselves express criticism? Wasn’t modernist housing a collective criticism of unsustainable living conditions? Can a state’s embassy convey differentiated, critical messages to the home and host country? Can architects express explicit criticism with their buildings? And if so, how can they do so? The essays collected in this volume present a wide range of effective built criticisms. Their authors’ concise analyses broaden our view of an insufficiently explored field of knowledge.


The 2023 International Conference on Architectural Criticism at Shanghai’s Tongji University introduced the critical positions of leading international architects and architecture firms. The debate between tradition and modernity gave rise to varied approaches, such as opposition against unstoppable progress or against autocratic family ideals.