Use of traditional elements in contemporary mosque architecture in Turkey


Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Turkey

Approval Date: 2010

Student: ÖZGÜR ÜREY

Co-Supervisor: AYDAN BALAMİR, ALİ UZAY PEKER

Abstract:

This study aims to explore the contemporary mosque architecture in Turkey, through a survey of the selected cases, focusing mainly on the use of traditional elements of mosque architecture. The selected cases are outstanding examples of contemporary mosque architecture in Turkey. Their architects are innovative in their design decisions and displayed their own design approach and interpretation outside the main stream of contemporary mosque design Turkey. In this framework, six mosques for every decade beginning from 1960’s are analyzed in terms of their general architectural features and the use of traditional elements of mosque architecture in their design. Throughout the selected cases, the modification of forms and functions are studied and compared with the pre- Modern ones as well as with each other. The changed forms of obsolete elements and the introduction of new elements to their design are also discussed. By this way, a general evaluation regarding the developments and progress in contemporary mosque architecture in Turkey is proposed with reference to comparative results. On this basis, this study demonstrates that the main elements, organization schemes and planning setups of Classical Ottoman Mosque are still preserved in the selected mosque examples. The novelty brought to their design is basically the usage of modern materials and techniques and a formal exploration of mosque architecture,