The reflection of biophilia, a concept coming from the disciplines of psychology and philosophy, in architecture emphasizes the connection between a building and nature as the main input of architectural design. Various dimensions and design criteria have been defined under the main heading of biophilic architecture, with the objective of eliminating the gap between the natural and the built environment in today’s modern cities. This study explored the approach of third year architecture students to biophilia embedded in the design studio program, rather than pursuing a formal, focused approach. The students’ sensitivity to a building being a tool to connect nature and humans in urban settings and design reactions were assessed in the context of the major parameters mentioned in the literature.

Cittaslow International, which is a network of small cities and towns that embrace the Slow Movement in the field of city management, was founded in 1999 in Italy. As of May 2017, there were 235 Cittaslow cities in 30 countries, and 14 are located in Turkey. The first Turkish Cittaslow community was Seferihisar, which is also the headquarters of the Cittaslow National Network of Turkey. Yalvaç, a town and district in the province of Isparta, in the Mediterranean region of Turkey, was accepted as a member of Cittaslow International in 2012. A Project for the protection and development of cultural and environmental values and tourism diversification initiated by the Yalvaç municipality; one of the leading heritage non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Turkey, the Foundation for the Protection and Promotion of the Environment and Cultural Heritage; universities; other NGOs; and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in the early 2000s, played an important role in obtaining this Cittaslow membership. This study examines the Yalvaç case and explores how a historic Turkish town developed an approach to urban conservation years ago, before seeking Cittaslow membership, and how this approach affected its membership in the association and the concept of slowness. It also discusses the interaction between its implementations in the field of urban conservation and its Cittaslow membership in terms of slowness.

The idea of the need to protect nature and natural resources is gaining importance every day. Sustainability refers to the protection of the environment for future generations. Architectural planning and design, as well as construction and demolition are now being evaluated with a long-term and multi-sided perspective. The use of existing building stock has great advantages in terms of resources and energy consumption in contrast to the damage to the environment inherent in the construction of a new building. The use of existing building stock allows for preservation of the environment and architectural identity, as well as economic benefit. Facade rehabilitation has become a key factor. Partial and extensive rehabilitation of building facades is directly proportional to the overall performance of the building. The decision to rehabilitate and the correct means of rehabilitation are critical to the building’s performance. This study is an examination of the process of making the decision to rehabilitate an existing building facade and the current methods of rehabilitation.

Social, cultural, and economical structures shape physical work environments. Today, workplaces are reconstructed according to the effects of sustainability and technology on the form of working. Flexibility is one of the most influential elements affecting the change of workplaces. Flexible workplaces are designed to strengthen the communication and to support the horizontal organizational structure. Open office areas are planned to meet the need for activities such as relaxation, conversation, meeting, concentration, and teamwork. In the era of the knowledge society and technology, organizations increasingly prefer smart buildings and flexible workplaces as their work environments. As a result, there is a growing literature, especially in North America and northern Europe, on the impact of flexible workplace design and indoor quality on employee satisfaction, productivity, and work quality. However, such studies are still limited in Turkey. To fill the gap, this research focuses on a flexible workplace located in a LEED -certified building in Istanbul. A post-occupancy evaluation was conducted in this office. Data collection methods included questionnaires, interviews, and participant observations. The data was analyzed based on the employees’ satisfaction from the flexible workplace.

Although there were approximately 30 churches in the province of Çatalca, situated in the west of Istanbul, prior to the population exchange between Turkey and Greece (1923-1930), only eight of these churches survived. Six of them were preserved by being repurposed as a mosque after the exchange, and two fell into ruin as a result of neglect and disuse. This study is an examination of the conversion process and architectural characteristics of churches in Çatalca that were converted into mosques. Having been built based on a basilica plan between the last quarter of the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century, most were constructed with brick and stone rubble, and include a three-nave hipped roof. The establishment of a museum that will support further research of the unknown history of these structures would help to introduce the conversion process and the architectural features of these cultural assets to the public.

Industrial heritage was included as a new genre when the definition of heritage was expanded in the second half of the 20th century. The concept of industrial heritage is used to interpret the material culture and activities of a society as reflections of industrial development and human spirit. It includes a wide range of sites from all points in history. The Küçükçekmece Ottoman match factory is an industrial heritage site that exemplifies Ottoman participation in international industrial progress. It was founded by a French company in the second half of the 19th century, received its production license in 1893, and started to manufacture matches in 1897. The original function of the factory, however, was short-lived, lasting only until near the end of the century. Today, the building it is divided into sections with different uses. This article is an evaluation of an industrial heritage asset, Ottoman Match Factory and its significance in the cultural history of Turkey. Its location is particularly important, as part of an industrial area of the Ottoman period along the Marmara Coast, parallel to the Rumeli railway. This area is defined as an industrial-cultural axis in the cultural history of Turkey. Factory’s connection to its past determines its heritage values. This study analyzes its original use and provides an evaluation of the potential for the re-use of the building as a whole. In addition, it is a discussion of the importance of the cultural context of industrial heritage sites, using Küçükçekmece match factory to highlight the need for a holistic approach to preservation.

One of the most important investments that the Republic of Turkey inherited from the Ottoman Empire was its network of railways and stations. It is well known that the modernization/development policy of the early Republican period of Turkey was built on the expansion of the railway network across the country. In this context, train stations and the railway environment, as well as the socio-cultural make-up of the city and its citizens, can be seen as part of the national and local modernization project. This study examines the Kayseri Train Station and İstasyon Caddesi (Station Street) and their contributions to the transformation of the city within the context of the modernization project. The impact on the city’s physical environment included new roads, residential areas, public spaces, modern landscaping, and new sub-centers in the north of the city. A wide variety of socio-cultural activities have taken place there, ranging from the addition of educational facilities to official celebrations of national holidays, and the area reflects the visibility and power of the nation-state. It is possible to argue that, along with the modern housing facilities located nearby, these structures can be seen as the groundwork in connecting the people of Kayseri with “modern life.” Therefore, their role in the physical and socio-cultural transformation of the city was examined not only in terms of structure and scale with regard to urban space, but specifically in terms of Kayseri’s own local parameters. While all Anatolian cities may have experienced similar transformations, upon close examination, distinct differences can be observed.

Globalized world order and the strengthening of neo-liberal policies since the 1970s contributed to the building of enclosed residential areas in many regions of world. The evolution of transportation and communication technologies with globalization, an increase in crime and fear that accompanied rapid population growth, and the growth of polarization between social and economic classes led many people to choose a more individual, disconnected lifestyle. As a spatial reflection of that understanding, residences are often built with strict boundaries, creating fragmentation in the city and weakening the relationship between residential areas and the city. Some existing areas are enclosed, while others are designed as restricted, gated communities. Spatial and social segregation and polarization grow. This study was an exploration of designing to fostering connections between people, rather than separation, and encouraging more social interaction through public spaces, particularly in residential areas.

This study focuses on early works of Semih Rüstem and Farkas Molnár, who were both members of a group called KURI (an acronym for constructive, utilitarian, rational, international), which was established at Bauhaus in Weimar, Germany, in 1922. Two house projects of each architect, built between 1930 and 1932, were selected and evaluated according to Bauhaus and KURI principles. The assessment comprised two stages: first, the spatial organization of the house was analyzed, and second, a shape grammar examination of the ground floor and the mass of the buildings was performed to comprehensively reveal the design principles of the architects. It was evident that Semih Rüstem and Farkas Molnár had common priorities in terms of house design, and that their designs were creative, harmonious in terms of elements, and expressionist, which is consistent with Bauhaus principles. Furthermore, the functional and rational planning of the houses, as well as the exterior and interior designs with a deliberate lack of ornamentation, and the use of geometric shapes, demonstrate that both architects produced work that observed the principles stated in the KURI manifesto. The study further revealed that Semih Rüstem was arguably also inspired by the spatial organization and facades of traditional Turkish houses.

Disasters occur due to natural and man-made causes at an unknown time and bring about physical, economic, and social losses. Disaster management plans are developed in order to be prepared before, during, and after a disaster. With a disaster management plan, the negative effects of disasters can be more rapidly overcome. Disaster management plans are aimed at minimizing loss of life. Current disaster management plans include consideration of children, but they are inadequate to meet children’s needs. Many studies on this subject have been conducted and put into practice elsewhere in the world, but child-centered disaster management plans have been neither studied nor developed in Turkey. The objective of this study was to raise awareness about developing thorough child-centered disaster management plans and to serve as a guide for future studies.

This study is an analysis of the outcomes of a three-week architectural design studio project that used the parasitic intervention and appropriation of urban space as its starting point. The project examined the structural, environmental, and experiential context of parasitic architecture and considered the re-use potential of space. Parasitic architecture has found a place in contemporary architectural discourse as a spatial approach that uses existing urban spaces, structures, or infrastructure and establishes a one-sided utilitarian relationship as a way of existence. Flexibility, adaptability, temporality, and sustainability are the essential qualities of these parasitic structures. While they are attached to an existing structure, architectural parasites add new structural, programmatic, and experiential features. They are new, temporary spaces and new alternatives to the claims of permanence and stability of architecture. This study examines the contribution of parasitic architecture as a design strategy, making visible new spatial possibilities of urban space previously unrecognized. The design projects of second-year architecture students are examined in terms of the design objectives, criteria, and values of architectural parasites on a structural and an urban scale. The projects also addressed how the relationship to a space can be defined through personal experience.

In addition to serving as documentation of cultural existence, historical structures are important part of the living environment. Thus, it is important to transfer them to future generations. Historical buildings that have been damaged over time due to various reasons are in need of conservation and restoration. However, methods applied with lack of scientific research can have harmful effects on the structure and create new damages. The scientific research on hydraulic, lime-based grout that is frequently used in the restoration of historical buildings is insufficient. In particular, the research on commercially sold lime-based grout needs more interest. The injection of grout is an irreversible technique and more scientific research can prevent unpredictable damages. Furthermore, although it is widely used, there are no national or international standards regarding the use of hydraulic lime-based grout. The aim of this study is to analyse the development of the grouting technique and the lime based grouts used in the restoration of buildings with historical masonry structure within the literature review context and to offer a contribution to the required standards and further scientific research. This research is an examination of the available resources in related topics in a chronologic order. First, the technique used to inject the grout during the restoration of buildings with historical masonry is described. Studies performed related to other grouts and mortars that contributed to the development of the use of hydraulic, lime-based grouts are discussed. Then, the development of the hydraulic, lime-based grout material and the test methods for this material are examined. There is also an analysis on the research performed with regard to the commercially available, hydraulic, lime-based grouts. Finally, the previous and ongoing research considering the use of this grout in Turkey is mentioned in the scope of this study.