| Title |
Topology and Contemporary Architecture |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5659/JAIK.2026.42.1.39 |
| Keywords |
Topology; Contemporary Architecture; Spatial Configuration; Diagram; BIG; OMA; SANAA; Connectivity |
| Abstract |
This study investigates how the concept of topology has been applied to and adapted in contemporary architectural design, focusing on its
spatial and interpretive implications through a case study analysis of representative projects by BIG, OMA, and SANAA. Employing a
qualitative case study method, the research compares and analyzes the influence of topological thinking on spatial configuration and its
interpretation since the 21st century, exploring the transformation of key topological concepts?such as continuity, connectivity, and
transformability?into fundamental design principles. The analysis is based on rigorously selected projects that integrate diverse programs,
urban contexts, and user experiences, utilizing reliable documentation such as drawings, photographs, and interviews. It reveals how
topological diagrams, which visualize abstract relational structures, have made concrete contributions to architectural typology and spatial
strategies. The results demonstrate that these architects implement topological relations and flexibility in various ways?for instance, in the
dissolution of spatial boundaries, non-linear circulation, multi-centric programming, and open systems?thereby showing that topology functions
not simply as a formal experiment but as a practical strategy for addressing complex contemporary social and urban conditions. |