Architectural representation and spatial practices: Adiscourse-oriented reading of competition projects

Architectural representation has been used as a communication tool in architecture for centuries, employing various forms and techniques. Each production establishes a language through its representation. From Antiquity to the present, architectural representation has been employed in various ways, and today it has evolved beyond simply presenting what has been constructed. Today, it has become an integral part of the design process and the transformation of ideas (Maver, 2002). As Uğur Tanyeli emphasized in his seminar "The Meaninglessness of Meaning," the power of representation has grown in modern architecture, where "the built word" has been replaced by "the printed word" (Tanyeli, 2016). With this transformation, architectural representation has evolved beyond being a mere communication tool, becoming a mechanism that generates a growing disconnection between what is represented and what is built in modern architecture. The idealized spaces conveyed through representation often fail to align with the actual spatial and social conditions of everyday life, making this discrepancy a critical area of inquiry. This study explores the extent to which architectural representation, discourse, and built reality overlap or diverge, and aims to analyze the underlying causes of this gap. Grounded in Michel Foucault's theory of discourse, the study treats discourse not only as a linguistic construct but also as a structure that produces spatial norms and power relations. In this context, the investigation focuses as much on what is made visible through representation as on what is consistently rendered invisible. The research analyzes ten architectural competition projects held and realized in Turkey over the past decade. Each project is examined through a multilayered methodology involving representational visuals, jury evaluation reports, user feedback, and data on the implementation process. The study compares the differences between the graphic language of representation and the spatial reality of the constructed buildings, drawing on the discourses of designers, users, and jury members. Python-based discourse analysis is used to objectively identify the dominant concepts emphasized by each actor group, and these concepts are further examined through targeted survey questions. Rather than offering a critique of architectural practice alone, this research seeks to establish a constructive framework that connects theoretical discussions on representation with the realities of design and implementation. By positioning architectural representation as not merely a reflection of design, but as a discursive force that shapes the social production of space, the study aims to expand the conceptual framework of the field. Through its integrative approach that bridges theory and practice, the research contributes to an alternative architectural thinking that fosters more equitable, inclusive, and context-sensitive modes of representation.