“Architectural Criticism” was an article written by William H. Hayes and published by The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism in 2002. Hayes “taught philosophy and related courses for over forty years, primarily at Washington State University and CSU Stanislaus” and had a special love for art, especially architecture (Obituary 1). In his article, Hayes responds to an older article, "The Architecture of Humanism," written by Geoffrey Scott on how to criticize architecture in the early 1900s. Hayes first describes that architecture must be “functional, structurally sound, and aesthetically pleasing” (Hayes 325). He then explains how to criticize architecture in its current state. To do this, he draws on Roger Scruton's article, “The Aesthetics in Architecture”. In describing Scruton's article, Hayes lists five characteristics of architecture that determine our attitude toward it: "(1) utility or function, (2) highly localized quality, (3) technique , (4) the character of a public object and (5) continuity with the decorative arts and corresponding multiplicity of objectives” (Hayes 325). All are relevant to architectural criticism, and all but 2 and 4 are considered in the historical way of criticizing architecture. This evaluation being the “triad of merchandise, firmness and pleasure” (Hayes 325). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay It is in this triad of merchandise, firmness and pleasure that Hayes explores how to balance them in order to discover the right way of determining “the quality and performance” of a building (Hayes 329). To begin, Hayes states that when referring to “architecture,” he is referring to actual buildings, not the profession or science. He then refers to Scruton's article and asserts that these five characteristics of architecture each serve as a general statement, but they fail to encompass the "nature of the art of architecture" (Hayes 326 ). I think Hayes' view of architecture is complicated, but I feel he has a better sense of the artistic side of architecture than Scruton. The firmness aspect of architecture refers to structural solidity. Hayes points out that this seems to be simply a matter of science, but that it plays a role in how we “experience” the building (Hayes 326). For example, Firmness “implies that buildings protect us against the vagaries of nature” (Hayes 326). Therefore, it plays a role in how we perceive the function of the building, and even in understanding it as art. I feel like this aspect is the least important when judging a building for artistic purposes, but one of the most important when talking about the performance Hayes highlights. Convenience is quite similar to firmness, but is rated more based on “particular function or use.” (Hayes 326). For example, the function of a house is to provide shelter, warmth and a place to live, while the function of a school building is to provide a place where learning can take place. I think this aspect is the most difficult of the three to understand. I think this because we don't tend to think directly about the use of the buildings we live in. We just use them without thinking about their particular use. The Delight aspect is the one that Hayes spends most of his time on. The pleasure is linked to the aesthetic appeal of the construction. He states that in the past, Delight was not as big as a business”.