Architext mining: Applying text analytics to research on modern architecture

Abstract

ArchiteXt Mining: Spanish Modern Architecture through Its Texts (1939-1975) is a research project funded by the Government of Spain through the 2015 Call for "Excellence Projects" of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. This project aims to explore a new viewpoint and look into the special features of Spanish modern architecture. Despite the increasing success of using data analysis as a tool in a variety of disciplines, research on architectural theory has never made the most efficient use of these technologies. The Spanish and international circumstances of modern architecture development have been scrutinized through qualitative research, which has established a shared theoretical ground. It is now time to start a new in-depth research based on objective data. To address this challenge, we propose the application of text mining techniques to take advantage of the best data source in the field: Architectural periodicals. The purpose is to create a powerful database hosted on a public website for the scientific community. Thus, this project fulfils several e-Research objectives: To facilitate the computerization of data research, to support every stage of data collection, and to manage big data analyses with the help of specific tools.