Research Article

Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture

Volume: 9 Number: 2 September 20, 2025
TR EN

Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture

Abstract

Architecture is a continually evolving and multifaceted discipline, enriched by alternative discourses and practices. Architectural representation, as both a communicative tool and a subject of inquiry, remains receptive to innovative approaches. These alternatives expand the conceptual and practical boundaries of the field, fostering interdisciplinary engagement and introducing novel perspectives on the notion of limits. While architectural representation is often constrained by established definitions and tools, its transformative potential lies in the ability of architects to transcend conventional practices and envision new possibilities. This study examines the work of Perry Kulper, Neil Spiller, Nat Chard, and Smout-Allen (Laura Allen, Mark Smout)—five visionary architects whose approaches provide alternative contributions to architectural discourse and representation. Through an analysis of their projects, this research identifies shared conceptual frameworks, referred to as “catalysts”, which highlight the intersections in their practices and their collective impact on the discipline. Kulper’s experimental mapping techniques, Spiller’s futuristic and technologically driven visions, Chard’s prototypes embracing ambiguity, and Smout-Allen’s environmental speculations collectively challenge and redefine the limits of architectural representation. These approaches facilitate the development of a more flexible, multilayered, and exploratory narrative framework, expanding the theoretical and practical dimensions of architectural production. By investigating their speculative methods, hybrid representations and personal narratives, this article underscores how these architects contribute to the transformation of architectural representation. Analyzing their work through the lens of catalytic concepts, it argues that their practices redefine representation as a dynamic, experimental, and interdisciplinary medium, fostering new opportunities for spatial exploration and architectural innovation.

Keywords

References

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  4. Bolt, B. (2004). Art Beyond Representation: The Performative Power of the Image. B. Tauris& Co.Ltd, p. 14-18. http://doi.org/10.5040/9780755604876
  5. Butcher, M., & Pearson, L. C. (2019). Enduring Experiments: How the Architectural Avant-Garde Lives On. Architectural Design, 89(4), 6-13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.2451
  6. Cantley, B. (2013). Two Sides of the Page: The Antifact and the Artefact. Architectural Design, 83. http://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1660
  7. Carpo, M. (2013). The Art of Drawing. Architectural Design, 83(5), 128-133. http://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1646
  8. Carreiro, M. B. T., & Pinto, P. L. (2013). The Evolution of Representation in Architecture. FutureTraditions - 1st eCAADe Regional International Workshop, Porto, 27-38. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Evolution-of-Representation-inArchitecture-Carreiro-Pinto/d0605326f41d7728df82e42a596b8cd374aef107

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Architectural Design

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 16, 2025

Publication Date

September 20, 2025

Submission Date

January 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 26, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Sönmez, B. (2025). Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research, 9(2), 232-242. https://doi.org/10.54864/planarch.1628665
AMA
1.Sönmez B. Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research. 2025;9(2):232-242. doi:10.54864/planarch.1628665
Chicago
Sönmez, Başak. 2025. “Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture”. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research 9 (2): 232-42. https://doi.org/10.54864/planarch.1628665.
EndNote
Sönmez B (September 1, 2025) Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research 9 2 232–242.
IEEE
[1]B. Sönmez, “Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture”, PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 232–242, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.54864/planarch.1628665.
ISNAD
Sönmez, Başak. “Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture”. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research 9/2 (September 1, 2025): 232-242. https://doi.org/10.54864/planarch.1628665.
JAMA
1.Sönmez B. Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research. 2025;9:232–242.
MLA
Sönmez, Başak. “Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture”. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research, vol. 9, no. 2, Sept. 2025, pp. 232-4, doi:10.54864/planarch.1628665.
Vancouver
1.Başak Sönmez. Rethinking the Limits of Representation Concept in Architecture. PLANARCH - Design and Planning Research. 2025 Sep. 1;9(2):232-4. doi:10.54864/planarch.1628665

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