After a thorough read of "The problem of Architecture" I found that Scruton raised some important questions about architectural theory. First off what is the difference between architectural theory and architectural aesthetics? WBDG.org (whole building design guide) describes aesthetics as "the branch of philosophy which studies concepts of beauty." WBDG goes on to say that aesthetics are "theories of beauty that vary over time and reflect preferences which, when widely agreed upon are called taste, and which also reflect more basic currents of thought in societies." In my opinion aesthetics are the center point of what architectural theory is based on. In addition to distinguishing theory from aesthetics Scruton asks what is aesthetic preference in a purely philosophical stand point? Why do we as humans value particular aesthetic qualities over another? I believe that our aesthetic preferences are what make us human. Each person has there own set of beliefs and will therefor have different inclination to what is aesthetically beautiful.
In this exert Scruton talks about the dangers of treating architecture like sculpture. By evaluating architecture only from its exterior skin you are robbing the building of its representational value. The program of the building should be where all ideas about the design start. A building that is aesthetically pleasing but fails to meet the functional qualifications is worthless. To conclude a building must be scrutinized on both its aesthetic and its functional qualities in order to insure a solid design.
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