Isabel Allen’s Editorial for AT322 discusses how the Architecture Today Awards subverted the traditional role of the crit, transforming it into powerful tool for judging the merits and performance of buildings that already exist.

Buildings.

Read the Digital Issue of AT322 online, for free, here.

Something extraordinary happened when finalists in the Architecture Today Awards gathered to present their projects to a panel of their peers. Traditionally, the role of the crit is to suggest a way forward: to banish an ill-conceived idea to oblivion, or to knock a good one into shape. As the AT live finals unfolded, it became clear that the crit can be a powerful tool for looking backwards; for weighing up the merits and performance of a building that exists.

Buildings.

Architects came, not simply to compete, but to share knowledge. Some brought engineers, or landscape architects, or sustainability consultants or building users. Others brought their clients. The common thread was intellectual generosity. A willingness to revisit a building completed some time ago; to delve into archives and dig out information; to divulge failings and strengths; to reflect on what they might do differently if they had their chance again. The jury’s role was to gather a detailed picture of each project’s performance. To tease out information. To ask challenging questions and uncover difficult truths.

Buildings.

The ‘retrospective crit’ emerged as an effective means of unlocking shared intelligence and stimulating debate.

There’s a lesson here for the way we educate our students. Schools of architecture have long since viewed history and theory as subservient to design. But it’s a position that short changes both our students and our future. Architects need to be equipped with the skillset to be both historian and critic. Students should be taught, not simply to produce projects of their own, but to study buildings that have served their time. To assess their performance. To understand whether – and why – they are cherished or derided. To communicate their virtues and shortcomings to an audience. To respond to any questions that arise.

Buildings.

If we’re serious about moving to a culture of retrofit first and demolition as a last resort, these are the most important skills of all. To identify the qualities embedded within existing buildings. To find ways to unlock their value without repeating past mistakes.

Read the Digital Issue of AT322 in full, online, here.