From Crisis to Crisis (Debates on Why Architecture Criticsm Matters Today)

From Crisis to Crisis examines how reading, writing and criticism can address the urgent issues faced by architecture today, including: the role of the architect in the era of specialization; the function of criticism in diverse political, economic and cultural contexts; and, the possibility of architectural education to take on history, theory, civic engagement and political participation. Drawn from an international public symposium organized in the spring of 2017 by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Department of Architecture, the book is comprised in equal parts of focused essays and transcripts of the wide-ranging discussions. From Crisis to Crisis reflects Hong Kong’s ongoing transformation from a gateway between China and the world, to a regional hub opening up a new milieu for the cultural, economic, and intellectual resources of Asia. The HKU Department of Architecture is part of this ongoing transformation, attracting thinkers from Asia, North America, Australia and Europe to engage in critical, relevant dialogues. The publication reflects this diversity and is characterized by its flexibility, contingency, vitality, and open-endedness. From Crisis to Crisis includes contributions from architects, writers and critics from around the world: Anthony Acciavati (USA), Founder & editor of Manifest; Columbia University Chris Brisbin (Australia), University of South Australia Françoise Fromonot (France), Chief editor of Criticat; ENSA Paris-Belleville Seng Kuan (USA), Harvard University Graduate School of Design Jonathan Massey (USA), University of Michigan Graham Mckay (UAE), University of Sharjah Kamran Afshar Naderi (Iran), Founder & editor of Memar Angelika Schnell (Austria), The Academy of Fine Arts-Vienna Zhi Wenjun (China), Founder & editor of Time + Architecture; Tongji University