Critical: Lisbon — Speaking with the city, speaking to the city is a one-week workshop dedicated to talking, writing, and publishing critically about architecture. Held from 16 to 21 July, the workshop will be coordinated by Lev Bratishenko, Frederico Duarte and Becky Quintal, and is included in the Critical Distance programme of the Lisbon Architecture Triennale. Conceived as a speculative editorial project, this workshop confronts the notion that architects and the public operate in ideologically disparate universes by focusing on their common desire to improve the city.

Taking the city of Lisbon as the working ground and inspiration, the workshop will explore the challenges and obstacles architecture critics face, but also the strategies, tactics and tools they use to tackle them. Strong and valid commentary on the built environment can take multiple forms and rarely follows a defined rubric. From essays, videos, op-ed pieces, photo slide-shows, interviews with architects and other city players, to walk-though reviews of buildings and current controversies over public spaces, the workshop will explore the many media and messages available to critics today.

This workshop is aimed at students and young professionals interested in architecture, design and urban issues. Applicants should have a desire to craft and broadcast their findings, analysis and opinion to a specific audience, from their peers to the general public. Registration deadline is 1 July 2012.

Photo by Luís Fonseca.