Defining Architectural Quality (Paperback)

Jose Manuel Pozo

ISBN 10: 3038604712 / ISBN 13: 9783038604716

Published by Park Books, Zurich, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. 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. AUTHORS: Jose Manuel Pozo is an architect and coordinator of the International Conference on the History of Modern Architecture at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, and secretary of the Latin-American Architecture Biennial (BAL). Wilfried Wang is a Berlin-based architect and president of the International Committee of Architectural Critics (CICA). He is also Changjiang Distinguished Scholar and a professor at Tongji University's College of Architecture and Urban Planning in Shanghai. SELLING POINTS: . 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 favour of quantitative and technical assessments . The International Conference on Architectural Criticism has established itself as a centre of competent and independent architectural criticism 101 colour, 35 b/w illustrations A comprehensive collection of accessible texts covering the entire spectrum of issues relating to the qualitative evaluation of architecture. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9783038604716

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Defining Architectural Quality (Paperback)
• Publisher: Park Books, Zurich
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3038604712
• ISBN 13: 9783038604716
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

A foundation for the qualitative assessment of architecture.

The essays collected in this unique anthology cover a 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 lacking. Defining Architectural Quality ranges from general observations and theories to case studies and lays a rigorous foundation for assessing works of architecture.

About the Authors

José Manuel Pozo is an architect and coordinator of the International Conference on the History of Modern Architecture at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, and secretary of the Latin-American Architecture Biennial (BAL). 

Wilfried Wang is a Berlin-based architect and president of the International Committee of Architectural Critics (CICA). He is also a Changjiang Distinguished Scholar and a professor at Tongji University’s College of Architecture and Urban Planning in Shanghai.