An Evaluation of Restoration Practices of Traditional Wooden Houses in Edirne

Abstract

The protection of traditional architectural heritage that witnesses the social and cultural life of a society, and its usage with its original function while protecting its material, construction technique and design, its transmission to next generations while giving new functions if necessary, are important from the perspective of social and cultural sustainability. Edirne, which is chosen as the field of study, had been homeland of civilizations e.g. Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman for years with different national and religious values. Edirne has many traditional houses that reflect the cultural and social life of the city which should be preserved as part of the cultural and architectural heritage. However, due to current changes of socio-cultural and economical circumstances their-inappropriate usage and the wrong restoration practices, the number of traditional houses diminishes. In this study, the state of conservation of the existing wooden houses in Edirne are evaluated. As a case study, a restored building is examined in terms of its measures and practices of protection and according to the compatibility of modern conservation concepts and criteria. Keywords: Wood Construction, Restoration, Traditional House, Edirne