The following essay will investigate four of the six characteristics of critical regionalism and its reflections on place, identity, and the problems caused by universalization. Mapungubwe will be used as a case study to exemplify and illustrate critical regionalism by evaluating whether or not it is successful with respect to these four principles. What is critical regionalism? The concept of critical regionalism arose in the 1980s as an approach to architecture that retaliates against “placelessness” (Frampton 1983: 16) while aspiring to eliminate the lack of meaning in modern architecture by using contextual forces to give a sense of place. and depth to buildings. (Eggner 1984:229) The main purpose of this well-founded concept is, as stated by Paul Ricour: "How to be modern and continue the tradition, how to revive an ancient dormant civilization as part of the universal civilization." Frampton, critical regionalism should embrace modern architecture for its universal and progressive qualities, while valuing particular responses to context (Frampton 1952:148). visual (Frampton 1952:148). As argued by Tzonis and Lefaivre, critical regionalism is not obliged to extract from context, but elements can be removed from their context and can be used in unfamiliar ways. The non-exhaustive list of critical Regionalism that will be mentioned includes Culture and Civilization, The Resistance of Place-Form, Culture versus Nature, and Visual versus Tactile To illustrate the above, it is necessary to draw evidence from the conclusion of the analysis made of the 4 principles. Mapungubwe...... in the center of the sheet...... of Mapunqubwe, and as the final point the historic landscape (Figure 1) (Design and Construction... 2010:17). All the above principles are related to each other to create a complex unity. Therefore, by evaluating the source through intense critical analysis of each of the four principles together with their images, according to Frampton's 6 principles, it is undoubtedly evident that the Mapungubwe Interpretation Center has considered what is mandatory to be a successful building and has excelled in implementing Frampton's principles while resisting the architecture of universalization. As a result this center has become a creation that is both modern and at the same time a historic site, discovering the perfect balance and becoming a unique and truly South African site..