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Case study: Examples of Wooden Vernacular Architecture - Turkish Houses in

Western Anatolia

Article · December 2015

DOI: 10.1515/jbe-2015-0008

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 10.1515/jbe-2015-0008

CASE STUDY: EXAMPLES OF WOODEN

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE - TURKISH
HOUSES IN WESTERN ANATOLIA
Özgül Yilmaz Karaman1, Mine Tanaç Zeren2
1
Department of Architecture, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
[email protected]
2
Department of Architecture, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
[email protected]

Abstract:Wooden material is described as the oldest construction material along with stone. In the
historical process, especially for the buildings of shelter, timber construction components are seen to be
used as primary and indispensable structural system components in different geographies of the world
as well as Anatolia. This paper focuses on timber-frame structures of four different settlements from
Western Anatolia. It is aimed to analyze the traditional techniques, in order to transmit our cultural
heritage to the next generations, as well as obtaining some data on construction techniqes to be used
for creating alternative solutions to the house production of today.
Keywords: Traditional Turkish Houses, Timber Structures, Traditional Construction Techniques, Timber
Housing Technology, Western Anatolia.

1. INTRODUCTION

Timber is one of the most important construction materials of Traditional Turkish House in
Anatolia. These traditional Turkish houses are an important part of our cultural inheritance with
its architectural style and timber components (projection, fringe etc.) and craftsmanship. In
addition, in the houses which have not been built by an engineer or architect (non-engineered
structures), there are many principles that can be considered today as well in terms of effective
use of the material.
With the description of Reha Günay, the timber which is the main structural material of
Turkish House, determines the geographical borders of Turkish House (Günay, 1998, p. 30). In
this context, even though some differences are seen between the construction techniques and
the sizes of timber components and combination details, in almost every region in Anatolia
excluding the ones where finding timber is very difficult, timber is one of the main construction
material used.
Timber housing is very common particularly in North and North West Anatolia almost all
of which is the seismic zone of 1st degree and the entire building can be built by timber material.
On a timber building, the production of the structural system components, secondary
building components and even surface coatings with timber material is possible. In another
word, all horizontal and vertical loads which affect the structure system are conveyed up to
the base with these timber components.

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 The components which are not purposed for carrying load like timber outer coating and
surface coating, on the other hand, are used for the task of creating a shell that protects
the spaces from the physical effects as well as the components to increase the resistance
against the horizontal forces like wind and earthquake load within the system. However, timber
construction materials can be used with massive materials like adobe, stone or brick in house
production depending on many factors like the availability of the timber material, a more
economic manufacturing, building physics requirements, life conditions in the region and
cultural aspects from the traditional methods to today. In another word, “mixed” constructions
have to be produced. While timber is used as construction material in the regions where the
availability is short, the construction techniques in which small timber components or stone,
adobe, brick or soil filling (hımıs, bagdadi etc.) on the façade and surface foundations of the
houses have been developed.
Timber frame system that rises over the ground floor walls generally made with stone,
composes the first floor (sometimes second or third depending on the size of the house) and
mostly the main living rooms of traditional Turkish house for the reasons like climate factors,
protecting timber from humidity, increasing fire resistance and in the context of regional
material resources and the effects of traditional life style (for example intimacy requirements).
Besides the frame system, it is seen that timber construction elements are used in masonry
walls and horizontal construction components like beam and lintel have significant functions
against the earthquake loads [1].

Fig. 3. Log House from Zonguldak, , Gökçebey, Herkime (North Anatolia)(web

1), Timber Framed House from Birgi (Western Anatolia)

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2. PROPERTIES OF TRADITIONAL TURKISH HOUSE IN WEST ANATOLIA

As described above, the use of timber especially as structural system component can
be seen in many various ways in the geography of Anatolia. Generally it is classified according
to the regions with similar climate and topographical properties as well. In this context, under
the scope of this work, the properties of Turkish house in West Anatolia are examined. The
regions selected under the field work are the traditional settlements of Kula, Mugla, Bayindir
and Birgi.
A line passing through Çanakkale and Balıkesir in the North and Uşak and Eğirdir in the
East and reaches to Antalya in the South draws the borders of the houses in West Anatolia.
A large part of the region was occupied during the Independence War and Aydın and Manisa
which are two of the most important settlements were burned in a large extent. However there
are some regions which are located little away from the city center and protect their texture
as they were. In this sense, the best examples of Turkish houses protected in the region are
encountered in Kula, Soma, Tire, Ödemiş, Bayındır, Birgi, Muğla, Milas and Bergama [2].
Houses in the region are located in a courtyard, which is surrounded by high courtyard walls
to provide privacy to the house. The ground floor is used for service facilities such as barns,
depots and also it is surrounded by thick stone walls and these facility rooms usually have
no openings to the street. All the openings of the house are viewed from the courtyard, while
rooms located on the first or second floor can also have openings towards the street. North
facades of the houses have solid surfaces to protect the interior of the houses from cold, and
South facades have open surfaces to obtain sun and breeze for the inside of the houses. All the
rooms located in the first and the second floors are opened towards a semi-open space called a
“Sofa” (the distribition hall that is used as the main living space for the family during day-time
as well). Most of the houses have a space organization with outer sofa[1]which has a strong
relation with the courtyard due to the warm climate conditions.
Shortly, ground floor closed towardsthe street with a stone or adobe wall and an upper
floor which sits on either load bearing stone walls or timber studs characterizes the house type
generally seen in region. The upper floor(s), which are built by timber frame construction
system include(s) living rooms. Usually, the number of the rooms differs depending on the size
of family living in the house. The rooms are planned with square or square like forms and are
about 12-15sqm; the height of the room is approximately 3 meters. One of the rooms serves
as the main one and is called the “Main Room”. This main room may differ from other rooms
not only because having larger dimensions but also because it owns a projection towards the
street.
In Manisa-Kula an important settlement of the region, a plan scheme with outer sofa was
applied by the middle of 19th century and then the plan with inner and middle hall started
to be used. There were structures like the barn, cellar and kitchen at the lower floor of Kula
houses which generally have two floors. In some houses with outer Sofa, a mezzanine was built
between the lower and upper parts for living during the winter. The plan type of a mansion with
outer Sofa and two rooms and the plan type of a mansion with outer hall and “eyvan” (a private
1 Turkish plan typology was firstly classified by S.H.Eldem due to the spatial organization of Sofa (Hall) spaces, as Outer-In-
ner-Central Sofa typed houses (Eldem 1955-1972)(Eldem 1984). Eldem defines the “Turkish House” according to the plan type
of the piano nobile-the first floor of the main building of the dwelling unit. The sofa; as a semi-closed or a closed space shared by
the members of the family is the basis of the typology (Eruzun 1989, 70).

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space organized between the two rooms as part of the sofa)are the most frequently used plan
schemas[3]. Also the examples of “Bas Oda (Main Room)” like in the Houses of Beyler and
Zabunlar are encountered.

Fig. 4. House with an outer sofa Fig. 5. House with an outer sofa from
from Kula and Mugla (below) Birgi and Bayindir (below)

In Muğla and around, the plan type with outer sofa was applied. However this showed some
regional differences. Back and side facades of Muğla houses are half-embedded in the ground
because of the topography, and were made of stone and have no openings. The front façade
faces the courtyard. The houses were generally composed of two floors, the lower floor was
used as storage and kitchen. A mezzanine was not created between lower and upper floor and a
separate room as main room was not designed on the upper part. There are eyvan in the Sofa of
the houses and generally a stair case was established in the parts of eyvan’s location[4].
A large majority of Ödemiş-Birgi and Tire houses which shows a similar development with
each other have outer sofa. Most frequently used plan schema is the plan type which includes
two rooms and eyvan between the rooms. Increase in the room numbers and the “kosk (private
space constructed as a raised platform and as part of the Sofa) added to the edge of the Sofa
caused the plans to become L and U shape [5].
Bayındır as one of the examples of a Western side cities has an outer sofa space organization.
The houses are mostly simple structures due to low income level of the society when compared
with other chosen cases.

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 Houses were usually built with two stories, upstairs was built as the main living space. Any
mid floor between upstairs and downstairs was not built and any main room, either.

3. DESCRIPTION OF THE TIMBER STRUCTURE OF TRADITIONAL

TURKISH HOUSE IN THE WEST ANATOLIA

Structural systems of Turkish houses in Western Anatolia consist of both masonry and timber
as main construction materials. Most of the houses have two floors. Houses are surrounded
by load bearing masonry walls mostly made of local stone at the ground floor level, including
the courtyard. Most of the time, this heavy stone wall continues through the upper floor at
the North side (facade) of the house considering the climate. Masonry walls are supported
by horizontal beams called “hatil” at vertical intervals of about 1-1.50 meters. Timber beams
placed at particular distances (also today regulations advice that the vertical distance between
beams should be 1,2- 1,5 meters) help to bind the stone layers together without interrupting the
continuity of the masonry construction. In addition to strengthening the masonry structure by
connecting the wall surfaces,horizontal beams (hatils) decrease the ratio of height to width and
help to determine the location of the first crack. The decay of these timber elements mostly by
the effect of water causes the masonry wall to collapse (Hughes 2000).
Upper floor is constructed with timber frame infilled with a technique called as “himis” and
plastered or/and covered with small sectioned timber laths and plastered called as “Bagdadi” in
Turkey. Himis is a typical timber frame structure in which small pieces of row materials (brick,
stone, adobe, etc…) are used as infilling material. And bagdadi is a simply lath and plaster
technique where the voids between timber framing members are sometimes filled with lighter
materials;the surfaces of the walls are covered by lath and plaster work [6].

Fig. 6. Himis Technique (Kula) and Bagdadi technique (Bayindir) (right)

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 When construction systems and material use in houses of four different selected settlemets
are summarised, it is seen that both himis and bagdadi techniques applied to the frame system
in all settlements. There are differences in used materials as infills for the himis technique. The
infill materials of himis are mainly stone and adobe in Kula, stone in Muğla, adobe in Bayindir
and adobe and stone in Birgi. In some cases both techniques can be used in the same house.
Use of the timber frame on the first floor helps in decreasing the dead-loads.
Before the construction of the upper floor, the timber wall plates are placed on the inner and
outer edges of the ground floor main walls. Also, free-standing posts placed in the semi-open
circulation spaces known as “taslik”are connected horizontally to the main beams, forming a
base for the upper floors. On the upper floors, posts (studs) and secondary posts are placed on
a timber beam which is called as the sole plate (usually 12/12cm a square section element) as a
base on the masonry wall. Usually with a dimension of 10/12 or 12/12cm posts are usuallymade
of yellow pine tree are installed at approx. 1 meter distance between each other on the sole
plate. These posts are connected with a timber beam on the top level as well which is called
“top plate”. These posts are supported by secondary diagonal timber elements (braces) of 8/8
cm. In cases of needing openings such as windows or doors, secondary posts are used to obtain
the necessary space for the openings. Two secondary timber beams, one at the bottom of the
opening and one at the top of the opening (lintel) are used to obtain door or window openings
on the surface of the wall. These beams are connected to the main posts with nails. Usually the
walls are filled with stone to form the surface.

Fig. 7. “Section” of a Traditional Turkish House from Birgi

The construction is plastered by “kıtıklı sıva (plaster)” which is usually made of mud and tow.
In traditional houses the first floor is constructed with timber floor beams that were covered
with timber boarding.

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 The floor construction can be seen from the ground floor since it does not have a ceiling
covering. Floor beams are generally supported by stronger elements in section of about 2.00-
2.50 meters intervals depending on the room size. This floor construction is connected to the
masonry ground floor walls by horizontal timber beams called as “sole plate”, but sometimes
it is seen that floor beams are simply tied to the masonry without any other timber element
or insulation layer.
Floor beams (joists) which have usually 8/15 cm dimensions in sections, are spaced
at approximately 50 cm intervals. The spatial dimensions are usually determined according to
the size of the available materials, whereas in some larger spaces such as the sofa—the main
circulation hall in Ottoman houses—and stony ground where a wide span is required, long
timber beams with a relatively larger cross-section (like 15*20, 20*20 cm) are used to support
the secondary joists. Then the floor is covered with a timber boarding which is nailed to the
joists. The floor system that consists of timber joists moving in one direction. Floor has an
important role against the lateral forces especially in case of earthquakes since it connects all
the masonry walls of the structure as well as the roof.
Another important elements of the first floor are the projections, which are iconic
elements of the facades as well. There are numerous examples of projections and they
can be different in terms of form, material use and/or construction techniques.

Fig. 8. Floor Constructions of Houses Birgi (left up), Kula (left down) and Bayindir (right)

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 To build projection (cikma in Turkish) on the upper floor, the load-bearing elements that
carry the projection are constructed according to the type and extension of the projection
and put in place at this stage. Main beam(s) is extended and the floor beams placed on/
between them. And the timber cantilever beams are supported by diagonal bracing elements.
Floor and roof systems are quite similar, while many types of projections can be seen among
the settlements.

Fig. 9. Different projection types from Bayindir (left up), Kula

(Left Down), Birgi (Right Up), Muğla (Right Down)

The outer shell of the house is finished with a timber roof covered with tiles. The use of
timber beams and joists are very similar in both floor and roof structure. The main difference
is the slope of the roof. To construct the roof, rafters are placed on the top plate of the frame
but in some cases a secondary beam-a purlin can be used as well on the top plate. Rafters are
connected to the beam on top of the roof. This beam is supported by posts at approximately 200
cm intervals. The floor rafters are covered with a timber boarding at first, then tiles are placed
on this timber layer. In some cases especially in lower income houses rafters cannot be covered
with timber boarding; in this case tiles are placed on the rafters which are placed parallel to the
long side of the roof directly. The roof construction usually cannot be seen inside the rooms
since the ceiling of the room is covered with timber boarding; this coating layer is supported
by ceiling joists similar with the floor joists. The ceilings of the important rooms are usually
ornamented. The moldings are used in the connections of wall and ceiling surfaces.

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 Fig. 10. Roof typology of Muğla settlement (left), Roof construction of a Birgi House (right)

One of the main criteria that affected the traditional construction technology in the region
were the earthquakes. From seismic design point of view, the diagonal members are the most
important elements of the structure. To provide the overall ductility of the system and energy
absorption capacity, the braces should be properly constructed. The lack of these elements
in the frame parallel to the main earthquake direction causes partial or total collapse of the
structure [7]. Another important issue emphasized in the study by A. Er Akan is the loss of the
techniques used in the traditional timber structures. But it is concluded that there are still several
characteristics of these structures some of which can offer the key for new earthquake resisting
structure. “In an earthquake, only one thing is important that is the strength and ductility of
structure. Therefore, for designing a structure in earthquake zone architects should be aware
of the dynamics of the seismic behaviour. According to researchers earthquakes have shaped
the traditional timber structures in the past. Therefore, people can learn many things from the
traditional construction techniques. ”
In other words, instead of condemning the houses built with traditional timber construction
system without a detailed examination or built new buildings instead, it will be reasonable to
evaluate their strong and weak points in accordance with the current architecture and technique
(standard and the regulations) and to see them as an alternative solution to the house production
which increases quickly today. This information is important primarily to prevent the loss of
lifes and property during the earthquakes to come [8].
Tobriner, also evaluates the seismic performance of Turkish houses and emphasizes
the importance of proper diagonal braces: “Turkish houses have features which unite
them with antiseismic construction elsewhere. The most obvious is that they are made of wood.
The property of wood to be flexible without breaking and to return after bending to its former
shape makes it an ideal construction material in earthquake country. If beams and columns are
sufficiently strong and flexible, braced and tied together to work as units, wooden walls can
resist the lateral forces induced by earthquakes. Although the spaces between the timber frame
may be filled with adobe, brick or simply left vacant, the wooden skeleton of the Turkish house
can stand on its own as a self-supporting system. The timbers are simply nailed together but the
framework is stabilized by the use of diagonal braces” [9].

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CONCLUSION

Wooden material is described as the oldest construction material alongside stone. In the
historical process, especially for the buildings of shelter, timber construction components are seen
to be used as primary and indispensable structural system components in different geographies
of the world. In different regions, the traditions can lead to differentbuilding components,
construction techniques, and spatial organizations and even artistic elements and make the
unique examples of region. Turkey also has a significant repository of vernacular regions and
architecture. The traditional architecture of Anatolia and the “timber construction”components
are subjects of many considerable research and documentation works. However, every region
has its own architectural and structural characteristics. In the study, traditional housing
technology and the use of timber componentsin Western part of the Anatolia are presented for
proper understanding of the construction system.
Because it is inevitable to make various intervention to the buildings during the process
of protecting the cultural heritage. In this sense, the intervention to be made to the structural
system of the construction will naturally allow the entire building maintenance. In order to
perform a correct application and detailing during the process of repairing and/or restoration,
the current system must be analyzed very well. Proper understanding of the details and
the construction system will prevent the wrong intervention and the buildings will be able
to transfer all architectural and cultural values they have for the future.
Another revenue of the traditional construction systems, that is examined in the paper, is the
criteria gained through centuries using trial and error and to be used in the construction process
of new buildings that may be ordered as below:
− Compatibility to the regional conditions (environmental conditions, climate, geological
structure, topographic properties etc.);
− Effective use of the material;
− Flexibility (spatial and structural);
− Adaptation to the local life style and cultural diversity (Intimacy requirements, forming
according to the traditional production types etc.);
− Neutrality and Simplicity (Forming the architecture by the life style, use of natural and
eco-friendly construction material and components etc.);
− Realism (The architecture formed by income level and social structure of the family,
selection of detail and material use etc.).
The mentioned criteria created with the analysis of traditional construction methods and
systems in reality are among the sub constituents of sustainable construction which is one of
the most important titles of today.
By detailed examination and evaluation of the positive and negativefacts of traditional
timber frame techniques in accordance with the current architectural and engineering standards
some data on construction techniqes can be obtained. These data also can be used to create
alternative solutions to the house productionof today.
Another important point is to have sufficient information regarding the earthquakebehaviors
of the timber buildings located in the earthquake zone. In addition, implementing detailed
works regarding the earthquake behaviorin order to transmit our cultural heritage to the next
generations will be beneficial in terms of the economy of the country.

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REFERENCES

[1] R. Hughes, «Hatıl Construction in Turkey,» %1 içinde Earthquake-Safe:Lessons To Be Learned From Traditional
Construction International Conference On The Seismic Performance Of Traditional Buildings, İstanbul, 2000.
[2] S. H. Eldem, Türk Evi I (Turkish House I), İstanbul: TAC Vakfi, 1984.
[3] R. Bozer, Kula Evleri (Kula Houses), Ankara: Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı (Ministry of Culture and Tourism), 1988.
[4] E. Aladag, Mugla Evi (Mugla House), Mugla: Hamle Yayınevi, 1991.
[5] M. M. Gül, “Birgi geleneksel yerleşim dokusunun koruma ilkeleri açısından değerlendirilmesi,”
Mimar Sinan University, School of Natural and Applied Sciences), İstanbul, 1995.
[6] M. Tanac and Ö. Yılmaz Karaman, “Wooden Load Bearing Structural Elements of Kula Traditional Houses Case
Study of Zabunlar and Goldeliler Houses,” in Wood science for conservation of cultural heritage - Proceedings of the
International Conference Held by Cost Action IE0601 in Braga (Portugal) 5-7 November 2008, Florence, 2010.
[7] A. Er Akan, “Some Observations on the Seismic Behaviour of Traditional Timber Structures in
Turkey,” METU- The Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ankara, 2004.
[8] A. Doğangün, R. Livaoğlu, İ. Tuluk and R. Acar, “Geleneksel Ahşap Yapıların Deprem
Performansları,” in Proceedings of International Earthquake Symposium 2005, Kocaeli, 2005.
[9] S. Tobriner, “Wooden Architecture and Earthquakes in Istanbul; A Reconnaissance Report and Commentary on
the performance of wooden structures in the Turkish earthquakes of 17 August and 12 November 1999,” United
Nations Centre for Regional Development, Disaster Management Planning, Hyogo Office, Kobe, 2000.

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