Call for papers: evidence and method in architectural research
SPOOL is happy to announce a new call for papers on method and knowledge in architectural research and related disciplines such as urban design, landscape architecture. We invite contributions that expand conventional understandings of academic research methods.
This issue of Spool is open to research that may not easily fit within established academic formats but still offers meaningful ways of investigating and understanding the built environment. We welcome submissions that reflect on how architectural knowledge is produced and evaluated through design, drawing, modelling, making, visual thinking, and spatial speculation. We also welcome contributions that draw on new approaches or unconventional source material to gain new perspectives on architecture and design.
How can drawings, models, diagrams, or design processes function as forms of inquiry? How can studio-based practices generate knowledge? What kinds of insights emerge through material experimentation, visual essays, or speculative scenarios? What type of source material enables new approaches to understanding design? How can policy documents foster a deeper understanding of urban space? And how might architectural methods contribute new perspectives to broader academic discussions on research and evidence?
The Evidence & method thread embraces the plurality of approaches arising from the productive tension between traditional scientific frameworks and creative practice. Alongside the research traditions of objectivity, quantification, and reproducibility, architectural inquiry has developed situated observations, iterative design processes, embodied knowledge, and speculative thinking. This results in a richer field of study and raises new questions, which will be developed in this thread.
Design engages with possible futures, spatial narratives, visual reasoning, and material processes in ways that often exceed conventional research models. How do architectural methods contribute to academic inquiry? This issue foregrounds these alternative approaches and reflects on the diverse methods through which architectural research is conducted today.
We welcome both theoretical contributions and visual essays.
Procedure
Authors can submit the abstract/draft/visual essay at
https://spool.ac/index.php/spool/about/submissions
Please be sure to check the box 'Evidence and method', and ensure you select the section 'article', ‘visual essay’ or 'design'for your contribution.
Paper submissions will be subject to a double-blind peer review process. Visual essay submissions will be subject to a single-blind peer review process. After the selection procedure, the authors will be advised on how to improve their submission.
In order to make the reviewing process run smoothly for both authors and reviewers, reviewing will take place in two stages. First an extended abstract of the planned paper/draft for the visual essay will be reviewed. Any profound disagreements on the content can thus be tackled in an early stage, and the author will not need to rewrite a completely finished paper/essay. The preliminary review will result in advice on how to proceed. The same reviewers will review the subsequently submitted paper/essay.
For further information refer to https://spool.ac
Timeline
Abstract paper/visual essay submissions: 1 September 2026
Editors' selection: 1 October 2026
Full paper/revised visual essay submissions: 1 November 2026
Reviews: 1 December 2026
Revised paper/visual essay submissions: 15 December 2026
Publication date: 31 December 2026
Abstract requirements
Papers
The extended abstracts, with a maximum of 1200 words, should be in English and should include the following information:
- background (research question, relevance)
- research method
- argumentation
- conclusion
Provide at least 5 keywords. Abstracts should not include any references to the authors. Please add a separate file with the title of the work, name of the author or authors, qualification, affiliation or institution they represent (if applicable), address and e-mail address.
Visual essays
Visual material can be accompanied by a concise text in English (500/1000 words) to provide an introduction and a substantive context for and guide to the visual essay. Each figure, image or other visual component may in addition have a title and/or caption of up to 100 words. Existing and archival images may be used, although authors must submit evidence of appropriate permissions with their essays.
The heading must include the title of the work, name of the author or authors, qualification, affiliation or institution they represent (if applicable), address and e-mail address. Provide at least 5 key words.
If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact the issue editors:
Lara Schrijver
Frank van der Hoeven
How to submit your abstract
Go to:
https://spool.ac/index.php/spool/about/submissions
and login or register.
In the process of submission, please choose the category “Evidence and Method” and the section that is most appropriate: article, design, project or visual essay. You will be guided through five tabs in which you can submit your abstract as Word- or PDF file. It helps us if you can refer in the “Comments of the Editor” to the title of the call for abstracts: “Design and method in architectural research”.
About SPOOL
SPOOL is an open access peer-reviewed journal that is indexed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), in Google Scholar and in Scopus. The journal uses Crossref Digital Object Identifiers or DOIs. This ensures that your institute recognizes your publications as an open access journal and as valid scientific output, while it is easy to find and refer to. The journal has at the same time the looks and feel of an architectural/design journal.
