Annotation in Architecture: A Systematic Approach toward Mobilization and Development of Theoretical, Research, and Critical Basis in Architecture

Annotations usually refer to marginal notes that explain a difficult or ambiguous subject, provide a general definition or a critical remark for a particular part of a text. Historically, annotating was a well-known tradition in Islamic sciences and was used especially in times when there were less new potentials for generating new knowledge. The main question of this research is, can the tradition of annotation transition to architectural studies and be used for mobilizing theoretical discussions? Accordingly, the main aim of this research is revitalizing this technique in contemporary architectural scholarship in a democratic way to develop new domains in science and theory, most distinctively regarding architecture. This research investigates the dimensions by descriptive-analytical and interpretive-historical approach. The paper consists of four main parts. In the first part, the necessity of paying attention to the mobilization of theoretical discussions in architecture is discussed. In the second part, related terminology and their meanings and a summary of annotation history are provided. In the third part, the applications and dimensions of annotation in architectural theory are presented. The final part contains some practical ideas as well as content-based and graphical methods of annotation. The main result of the research is a proposed framework for systematic thinking and applicable models of approach to the architectural literature review. The results show that annotation can help mobilize the internal intellectual movements in architecture. It can make use of newly available media that can affect architectural texts and their continuing regenerations.