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PurposeAdopting Mapping Literature, the purpose of this study is to notice the tendency in defining contextualism through extrinsic aspects neglecting the intrinsic ones generating three theoretical gaps in understanding contextualism, especially in terms of (1) physical/cultural aspects (P/C); (2) traditional vs contemporary architecture (T/C); and (3) place identity (PI).Design/methodology/approachA directed systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to investigate the Web of Science and Google Scholar engines for the related studies, resulting in 66 texts of book chapters, conferences, articles and practitioners’ texts. Using the PRISMA reporting method, the study presented the SLR procedure that narrowed the related studies to 66 texts of book chapters, conferences, articles and practitioners’ texts. Both consensus and debates in understanding the relation between contextualism and (T/C, P/C and PI) were re-visited (see Appendix).FindingsAccording to the findings, the studies tend to address contextualism through either extrinsic or intrinsic values. The undefined balance between extrinsic and intrinsic aspects in understanding and creating contextual architecture seems to be the common reason why the three theoretical gaps exist.Originality/valueThis paper did not only conduct an SLR investigation on the topic, which is limited in the field, but it also highlighted the need for further and constant discussions despite the previous one to improve the understanding of contextual architecture.