Teaching design critique

This chapter focuses on the critique of designed works, and the perplexing questions that circle the apprehension of design as built — or as imagined. It explores some ways of working with students to expand their understanding of design critique, and to develop skills in the art of criticism. The chapter also explores the motivations for criticism, which are important in underpinning the kind of criticism that is undertaken. The subject of criticism might be presumed to be a built or established work. Yet, in many situations, critics are considering unbuilt works. The questions of how long to spend on site, how often to visit it, and over what time period, are questions for student critics as well as they are for student designers. Teaching design critique foregrounds the importance of criticism within landscape architecture, including how it can influence the understanding of designed works, and how in itself critique can be part of our creative practice