Architecture in Effect: A Glance at Critical Historiography

Historiography marks a relatively unexplored research domain in architecture. Despite the obscure nature of this subject matter, architectural historiography equally illuminates a hidden pathway to the historical interaction of architecture with art or literature. Critical historiography adds another dimension to this emerging research topic that further encapsulates multiple levels of criticism. In recognition of a growing interest for historiography, it can be argued that the critical aspects of historiography may serve as crucial instruments for an enhanced understanding of architectural historiography. In this article, the realm of architectural historiography is investigated through a multidisciplinary perspective that revisits architectural criticism, critical historiography, modern architecture, phenomenology, and a number of aspects of architectural historiography in the Swedish Million Homes Program.

Key words: architectural historiography; modern architecture; phenomenology