Against Operative Criticism: Reading Histories and Theory of Architecture

This lecture delves into the crisis of historical precedents in architecture, exploring the rejection of history in modern architecture, the pioneers of the modern movement, and the historiography of modern architecture. It discusses key figures like Manfredo Tafuri, Bruno Zevi, and Emil Kaufmann, emphasizing the importance of historical research in validating the present. The lecture also covers the concepts of regressive vs. progressive architecture, the urban reform by Fiorentino Sullo, and the impact of land rent on urban planning. It concludes by examining architecture as a formal game post the defeat of planning, as showcased in the exhibition on Michelangelo Architetto in 1965.