From Dots and Lines to Connections: Re-Evaluation of Relational Thinking in Architecture

Abstract

Relational thinking, as both an ontological and epistemological approach, is inherently intertwined with the discipline of architecture. Yet, despite its growing visibility in the information age, its conceptual depth and theoretical implications remain systematically underexplored within architectural discourse. This study investigates how relational thinking is reflected in 21st-century architecture by analyzing the relevant literature and identifying both commonalities and divergences. Methodologically, the research follows a qualitative framework structured in three phases. First, 40 texts engaging with relationality in architecture were systematically selected via JSTOR and SCOPUS using the PRISMA protocol. Second, a descriptive content analysis was conducted, resulting in five thematic clusters: theoretical, methodological, technological, ecological, and social. Finally, an interpretive synthesis was developed by analyzing the convergence and divergence across these clusters. The findings demonstrate that relational thinking in architecture manifests through complex, multi-scalar integrations of knowledge, practice, and context. Each cluster foregrounds specific aspects of relationality, yet their overlaps reveal underlying patterns of cross-disciplinary resonance. This study suggests that relational thinking is reshaping architectural epistemology-moving it beyond static, form-based paradigms toward dynamic, interconnected systems thinking. These insights underline the necessity of further theoretical engagement with relationality as a core principle of contemporary architectural knowledge.