Dünden Bugüne Gaziantep Geleneksel Mimarisinde Taşın Kullanımı

Abstract

Having a rich historical background Gaziantep (SE of Turkey) limestones have been used as a building stone until recently. Limestones occur in the geological formations near this city. Basic factors crucial for development of the traditional architecture such as the topography, climate, vegetation, social and cultural structure were effective in determining characteristics of local architecture of the city. Artisans of Gaziantep used this stone properly and has given the city an authentic architectural character. Within the historical development of the city, limestones have been used as the main building material until the 1950’s. Recently the reinforced concrete system was used in the architecture of the city. Nowadays after the recent restoration projects carried out in the city, there is a revival use of stone as a construction material. The aim of this study is to examine the use of stone in the traditional architecture of Gaziantep from past to present and to discuss the sustainability of this material. In this context, the use of stone in the urban architecture is discussed with different perspectives including archival research, site surveys and material properties determined by laboratory analysis.