February, 2026
ISSUE28.2: ELEMENTS OF ARCHITECTURE | Door
In most design processes, attention to architectural details occurs in the final stages. This is clear: until the framework and core concept of a project are established, focusing on details holds little significance. Typically, elements and details do not drive the design independently, and their presence in a project is often obvious. However, the question arises: how can we achieve innovation by reversing this process? This reverse process involves examining an architectural element first and then developing the project’s core concept from that examination.
Understanding the existing structures of the element is the first step in advancing this project. This understanding includes not only historical and visual aspects but also an analysis of its behavioral characteristics. Projects where specific preconceptions about the element have been nullified were selected as case studies to deepen this understanding. To formulate the right questions for the project, “what if…” inquiries were posed to challenge the element’s features across various categories.
As a result, altering an assumption about the element led to the creation of a new architectural typology.