The multidisciplinary field of architecture provides an array of opportunities into various other fields. Every architectural institution houses within itself architects, writers, illustrators, draftsmen, structural consultants, artists, journalists, critiques and so on in them. Talk about being a jack of all trades. Today we talk about our journalists and critiques.
A critic’s role is to simply analyse the success an architect has been able to achieve in carrying out a project, on criteria given by the architect himself, as well as added pointers by the critique.
Journalism, on the other hand, is a niche of writing that deals with the documentation and commentary about a design work based on the journalist’s education and knowledge about the particular design as well as the subject.
In recent times, there’s been an uprising trend in architects and architectural students to expand their horizons and opportunities. Let’s talk about some of the critiques and journalists.
1. Oliver Wainwright
This British architect and design critic born in 1985 pursued education from the Royal College of Art & University of Cambridge and practised as a full-time architect before shifting to the profession of journalism. He has been a part of the British Newspapers ‘The Guardian’ as well as ‘The Time’ and also regularly featured in magazine tycoons like ‘building design’. Apart from journalism, he has also been involved in several design projects and lectured in universities. This gives him a lot of credibility as an architectural journalist and critic, all thanks to the knowledge and experience he brings to the table.
Instagram and twitter – @ollywainrwright
The guardian profile – ©https://www.theguardian.com/profile/oliver-wainwright
2. Anne Quinto
This design reporter and architectural critique from New York works for the international news organisation ‘quartz’ and is the founding director of “Family Health International (FHI)” in 2017, Anne Quinto won the Inaugural Steven Heller Prize for Cultural Commentary from the American Institute of Graphics Art (AIGA) and in the following year a story she co-authored also received a silver medal from Malofiej Infographic Award. And as if all these achievements were not enough, she also wrote and edited the book “Mag Men”. This versatile and equipped professional is a valuable addition to the architectural community.
Twitter and Instagram – @annequito
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-quito-81435a136
3. Apurva Bose Dutta
The author, architectural journalist, curator and editor Apurva Bose Dutta has been able to gain recognition for herself in the journalist and architect circle by promoting architectural writing in India. Her global work with various publications and architectural organizations has internationally earned her credibility. Her latest piece of work is the book “architectural voices of India” in which she interviews 19 different architectural identities and digs into their minds about their ideologies and visions.
Website: http://www.apurvabose.com/
Linkedin: https://in.linkedin.com/in/apurva-bose-dutta-35090624
4. Owen Hatherley
A British writer born on 24th of July 1981 in the UK is a writer of diverse nature. His works focus on topics like architecture, politics and culture. His political beliefs incline towards the ideology of communism. He has achieved great recognition by credible sources like ‘the guardian’. And some of his works include “militant modernism”, “A Guide to The New Ruins of Great Britain”, “Landscapes of Communism” and more…
Twitter: @owenhatherley
5. Alexandra Lange
Receiving her BA in architecture and Literature in Yale University, and pursuing her MA in the Institute of Fine Arts, she has further gone on to make a career in the field of architectural journalism and criticism. Just to give you an idea about the exposure and experience this architectural critique and journalist has to offer, she has worked for the New Yorker, New York Times, The Atlantic, Metropolis, Architect magazine, architectural digest, The architect’s newspaper, and is working at curbed as an architectural critic. She also received the 2019 Steven Heller Prize for Cultural Commentary.
Twitter & Instagram – @LangeAlexandra
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-lange-b4804912
6. Allison Arieff
Currently working as the editorial chief director at the San Francisco-based Urban Planning and policy thinking tank SPUR, Allison Arieff is an architecture and design writer that writes about architecture, design, cites and technology at the New York Times “opinions section” this established architect and journalist started work at an editorial position of Random House, Oxford University Press and Chronicle Books. She pursued her B.A from the University of California, Los Angeles and her M.A from the University of California, Davis. She holds a PhD in American Studies from New York University.
Twitter: @aarieff
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-arieff-1192961
7. Rowan Moore
Trained as an architect at the University of Cambridge and is a practising journalist working as an editor at the architectural journal blueprint and has also written for publishers like The Guardian. He’s the brother of the newspaper editor and journalist Charles Moore, working in the same field.
Twitter – @rowanmoore
8. Cathleen McGuigan
Having worked at places like The New York Magazine, Smithsonian, Harper’s Bazaar, and Rolling Stone; and ending up as the chief editor at the architectural record, Cathleen McGuigan has created a timeline of upward growth and professional credibility for herself in the field. Her wide array of work and projects gives her a knack in critiquing design pieces.
Twitter – @cathmcguigan
9. Nicolai Ouroussof
Born on October 3, 1962, was the architecture critic for the New York Times starting 2004 up until 2011. Taking birth in Cambridge, he pursued his bachelor’s degree in Russian from Georgetown University and masters in architecture from Cambridge Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. When he had to let go of the New York Times in 2011 to write a book, he was replaced by the American Author Michael Kimmelman.
10. Michael Kimmelman
The multi-talented author, critique columnist and pianist born on the 8th of May 1958 is the current architecture critique for the New York Times. He has been the final candidate for the Pulitzer Prize Finalist and has reported from over 40 countries. Truly a valuable addition to the international architectural fraternity.
