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Naseri H, Mahmoudi Kamelabad M, De Angelis E. (2026). Geometric Thinking as a Cognitive Framework in Architectural Design: Conceptualizing Key Attributes Based on Grounded Theory and Expert Perspectives. CIAUJ. 11(1), 183-206. doi:10.61882/ciauj.11.1.687
URL: http://ciauj-tabriziau.ir/article-1-687-en.html

In architecture, design emerges from complex cognitive processes that integrate perception, imagination, reasoning, and decision-making. Among the various forms of knowledge influencing architectural thinking, geometry occupies a central position. It functions not only as a technical tool for measurement, drawing, and construction but also as a conceptual framework through which ideas are transformed into coherent spatial and formal structures. Mastery of geometric knowledge enables architects to organize space, establish proportions, and generate architectural forms with clarity and intelligibility. This study aims to identify and conceptualize geometric thinking in architectural design and to develop a grounded model explaining its role in enhancing architects’ cognitive skills. A qualitative research approach based on grounded theory was employed, using a purposive review of theoretical texts and scholarly works related to architecture, geometry, and thinking. Data collection and analysis were conducted simultaneously through open, axial, and selective coding using MAXQDA software, continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. The findings indicate that geometric thinking is shaped by interrelated causal, contextual, and intervening factors. Causal factors include the rigor of geometric reasoning and the recognition of geometry as a foundational system of architectural knowledge. Contextual factors involve the distinction between sensory and intellectual geometry, as well as theoretical and practical dimensions. Intervening factors encompass measures, proportions, and rules that regulate order and harmony in architectural space. The identified strategies—such as valuing geometric principles through logical reasoning and discovering geometric rules through systematic analysis—enable structured and rational approaches to design, leading to improved understanding, precision, and mental clarity in the design process. In conclusion, the proposed conceptual model highlights the cognitive, epistemological, and practical significance of geometry in architectural design. Cultivating geometric thinking enhances design coherence, quality, and rationality, offering valuable insights for both architectural education and professional practice.