Exploring the Method of Interpretive Criticism toward Indonesian Architecture Identity in the Works of Indonesian Architects

In Indonesian architecture practice, the utilization of criticism as a design method had not yet been discussed much within the academic discourse. However, Indonesian architects have respected with self-subjectivity the debate on Indonesian architecture identity and reflected it through their architecture works. Criticism can be perceived in the method's categorization of evaluating the standard of quality, attempting to make a particular way of seeing, and establishing an understanding through diverse forms of explanation. This study interprets the methods of interpretive criticism of selected Indonesian architects regarding the discussion of Indonesian architecture identity. Five Indonesian architects are chosen based on their response to this discussion and their identified representation of architecture works. The study incorporating interpretive criticism methods in Indonesian architects' architecture works is still minimal, so it will fill the gap. The qualitative strategy is utilized with the tactic of in-depth interview and content analysis with the help of NVivo software to discover these architects' understanding of criticism in architecture and the methods of interpretive criticism's categorization. This study uncovers the two main tendencies of these architects. The first one determines their understanding's tendency through the component of acts and goals of criticism. These attitudes are then identified based on their subjectivity, categorized as interpretive criticism methods, and become the second finding of this study. In the end, the interpretive criticism's methods in architecture practice can be formulated, even though there is a need to investigate more in other categorizations of methods in criticism.