THE REFLECTION OF CULTURAL ASPECTS ON VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE: CASE OF BURHANLI VILLAGE, CEYHAN

Abstract

Aim: The financial, social and cultural development in urban areas encouraged people to move out from rural areas which resulted in the extinction of vernacular architecture shaped as a result of cultural background. The main aim of this study is to examine how cultural aspects are reflected to spaces in vernacular architecture. Method: Burhanlı Village located in Ceyhan/Adana is chosen as the case study, because of its unique settlement character where yörük culture can still be seen. Within the scope of the study, historical development of Burhanlı village is examined, survey drawings of 16 traditional houses are prepared and interviews with local residents are undertaken in order to understand how culture is reflected in inner and outer spaces. Findings: It is ascertained that building stock in the village is mostly comprised of two storey houses, where ground floors are used as stables or warehouses, the upper floors include spaces for daily living. In the houses where sofa is the main element of the plan organization, wood, mud brick or stone was used as building material and it is revealed that traditional houses are under threat because of poor quality intervention. Conclusion: It is determined that culture was reflected more in details in inner and outer spaces rather than spatial organization and that these unique qualities have to be preserved.