Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present an inquiry into critical architecture by architect Peter Eisenman and various ways how to reach criticality in architecture; as well as a few examples presenting aspects of application of criticality in architecture. In particular the paper presents the last stage of the evolving investigation of criticality that was brought in the 2020 book called Lateness that offers crystallization of Eisenman's attitude toward the topic.
Criticality and critical architecture are defined in accordance with theoretician K. Hays as such an architecture or attitude that does not serve blindly to mainstream power/dominant culture but on the other hand does not withdraw from the world to a purely formal structure disengaged from the contingencies of place and time.
Critical architecture remains between these two extremities. As next the paper explains various ways into criticality.
In long period it was a diagram that ensured criticality. But in the last period there emerged a new term and a new proposition.
And this is lateness. Lateness, inspired from a study of late Beethoven's composition by Adorno, is a term used by Eisenman to designate (pieces of) architecture in which form or fragments of form are problematically related to their time determination.
Form of a building consists of fragments (parts) that couldn't be determined in terms of style or period of time. What is important in this context is that criticality doesn't "dwell" in the form itself (that was the case in various previous stages).
Criticality involve now relationship between form and time. Lateness is presented as a reaction to contemporary architecture.