Public Debate and Public Opinion: Notes for a Research on Architectural Criticism

Architectural criticism is often seen in exclusive relation with the pro - fessional world of architecture and with academia, originating and descending in large part from theory or history of architec - ture. Challenging these assumptions, this introductory text considers architectural criticism – in its multiple forms – from a different perspective: it places it within the wider arena of public debate, exploring its disciplinary boundaries. Engaging in public debate, in fact, architectural criti - cism broaches themes and questions that go beyond professional and specialized interests: criticism can therefore be seen as acting as an “interface” between different stakeholders, with the critic assuming the role of mediator. This essay argues that it is possible to address the question of what is “public” in criticism by using examples drawn from recent history. The studies assembled in the present volume prompt a reflection on cases where architectural criti - cism has been able to appropriate themes of public debate, offering specific viewpoints on the relation of architectural criticism to public opinion and to the public sphere.