This thesis is the result of an attempt to record, classify and develop an
understanding of the motivations and dynamics in the design and realization of the
buildings that explicitly or implicitly represent the Turkish identity abroad. In the
meantime it is aimed to reflect on and identify the function of architecture and
buildings in the formulation and representation of national identity. Besides the
analysis of the meanings assigned to the architectural forms, one underlying
intention was to clarify how different aspects of architecture and building processes
could play roles in the construction and representation of national identity within
the context of the embassies, monuments, exhibition pavilions and centers for
cultural and religious purposes.
During the analysis of these architectural works, basic mechanisms of the concept
of identity and its repercussions in relation to physical milieus -i.e. its
comparative nature, its reception by the others- are tried to be elaborated. Cases
other than the Turkish case are referred to when necessary. Viewpoints of variety
of actors in the realization of these works -i.e. architects, diplomats, statesmen and
contractors- are analyzed to elucidate the similarities and differences of
approaches.
iv
Besides the role of international relations, the dominant social, political and
economic characteristics in different historical periods of Turkey and their
implications on the buildings abroad are exposed by this study. Reactions of the
architectural discourse in Turkey to those characteristics concerning the national
identity, i.e. foreign architects, globalization, and promotion of architects by the
state, are elaborated. While some themes are perennial at the discursive and formal
level, variations of attitudes regarding the host context are observed in the study.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:METU/oai:etd.lib.metu.edu.tr:http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/924522/index.pdf |
| Date | 01 January 2004 |
| Creators | Zelef, Mustafa Haluk |
| Contributors | Onur, Selahattin |
| Publisher | METU |
| Source Sets | Middle East Technical Univ. |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Ph.D. Thesis |
| Format | text/pdf |
| Rights | To liberate the content for public access |
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