Architectural criticism as a means to identify socially shared values

the case of the East building of the National Gallery

pp. 37-43

in: Michael Herzfeld, Margot D. Lenhart, Semiotics 1980, Berlin, Springer, 1982

Abstract

The East Building of the National Gallery in Washington, designed by architect I. M. Pei, opened its doors on June 1, 1978. The President of the United States underscored with his presence the importance of the event, and the media gave it ample coverage. The East Building made the cover of four magazines, and it was widely discussed in the professional and the daily press. Architect Pei was awarded the 1979 Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects--the highest architectural award in the nation. Critic A. L. Huxtable called the East Building "the building of the year"; Canty suggested that it could be the best building of the entire decade, and Slesin went even further, predicting that no other building of this quality will be constructed in our century.