Wikipedia:Notability (architecture)

This is a first draft to establish notabity criteria for articles written about architecture or architects. It is not intended to be a guideline for all buildings and structures as many of these are not necessarily considered architecture. What is and is not architecture can be difficult to define but it is worth bearing in mind that architecture is considered a fine art and as such any building that appears to be striving to create art rather than just fulfill a function is usually also a work of architecture. The acid test should be whether or not the building or structure has been published in the architectural press.

Important note: Failing to satisfy the notability guidelines is not a criterion for speedy deletion. An article that fails to even claim that the subject of the article is notable can be speedily deleted under criterion A7, however. A mere claim of notability, even if contested, may avoid deletion under A7 and require a full Article for Deletion process to determine if the subject of the article is notable.

Many of us who spend a lot of time improving Wikipedia's architectural coverage feel that notability is required for an architectural topic (such as an architect or building) to deserve an article here. Please note that the failure to meet any of these criteria does not mean an article must be deleted; likewise, the meeting of any of these criteria does not mean that an article must be kept. These are merely rules of thumb some editors choose to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to keep an article that is on articles for deletion.

Also, please keep in mind that the article in question must actually document that the criterion is true. It is not enough to make vague claims in the article or assert a building's importance on a talk page or AfD page -- the article itself must document notability.

See also the Wikipedia:Criteria for inclusion of biographies for notability guidelines for biographical articles in general.

Criteria for architecture articles

An architecture article is definitely notable if it meets any one of the following criteria:-

Modern works

Modern works may be notable if they:

1. Have been published in the architectural press, e.g., the Architects Journal
2. Are by a major recognised architect.
3. Contributes to the discourse of architectural theory
4. Have won a major national or international prize, e.g., the Stirling Prize

Historic works

Possibly notable historic works include:

1. Prototype buildings or structures - the first of its kind or the first to offer a particular solution to a problem
2. A building of national or international significance, e.g., Taj Mahal
3. Buildings on the upper scale of a historic register. e.g., Grade II* Listed buildings or National Historic Landmarks
4. It is cited as significant in any major architectural history text. e.g., Bauhaus or Saint Denis Basilica

Architects

1. The architect meets the requirements for notability for either notable people or notable living people.
2. The article concerns a winner of a major national or international prize.
3. An architect whose work is the subject of multiple non-trivial articles in architectural journals or publications.
4. An architect whose work or writing is taught as part of an architectural degree.
5. Designed a modern or historic work that meets the above criteria for modern or historic works
6. Described as a Starchitect in a national publication

Building technology

1. Articles are notable if they also fulfill the requirements of Wikipedia:Notability (science)
2. If the subject of the article is taught in a school of architecture.
3. If the subject of the article is subject to government legislation upon architects, builders or clients. e.g., building codes, architectural acoustics—but with the exception of material standards e.g., British Standards that tend to govern all building materials.

Other considerations

Infamy

Infamous architects or structures, particularly those that have collapsed or failed in some way, may also be notable. Subjective local press articles about 'ugly' buildings are not necessarily evidence of notablility, whereas national press articles about a similar subject probably are (e.g., Tricorn Centre).

Churches

1. Churches with verifiable historical or architectural significance are notable. See also Wikipedia:Notability (local churches and other religious congregations)

Places of local interest

1. See also Wikipedia:Places of local interest

Flexibility

As noted in the introduction, these are not intended, nor should they be used as hard and fast rules that an article either fails or passes. Deletion debates may, for instance, turn up criteria not covered here that reasonable people can agree substantiate notability, or a work or architect may not meet any single criteria, but come substantially close to meeting enough criteria to substantiate noteworthiness in combination.