Why a Turkevi?

Turkevi (Turkish House) are houses that perfectly reflect and shape the Turkish lifestyle.

How was the renowned hospitality of the Turkish people implemented in the houses and how was it reflected in the architecture?

Turkish architecture is not the crowded, multi-story buildings of our major cities. Turkevi, rare works of art in traditional architecture are unfortunately being lost day by day amidst the opportunities afforded by modern life and new construction, replaced by unstylish, unattractive buildings.

While Turkevi architecture is often described as old, in reality, both the comfort of the interior rooms and the elegance of the exterior dwarf today's modern structures. Some changes have been made to the architectural structure of Turkevi to reflect the lifestyles of the local people. However, the overall similarity of interior use and exterior appearance are very similar.

Turkevi are located on narrow streets, and each house has a courtyard, accessed from the street through a large gate. The houses are mostly two-story, sometimes three-story. A pergola sits within the courtyard, and the ground floors of the houses were used as stables, storage, and cellars. By windows were built on the exteriors of the houses to enhance their decorative appeal and make the interiors more functional. Interior space was prioritized because the bay windows were used to accommodate traditional Turkish furniture.

The ground floor houses the kitchen, living room, and hall. Meals were served in the kitchen, while family and guests would gather in the living room to drink the famous Turkish coffee and chat. The first floor houses the bedrooms and guest bedrooms, each with a sofa. All rooms open onto the sofa, as after sitting in the living room, family and guests would ascend to the first floor.

The sofa, a distinctive feature of Turkish architecture, was given great importance because it provided a space that connected all rooms, and where all family members would gather and converse. Whether in the garden or on the first or second floor of a house, there was always a space where guests and family could sit, eat, and drink together. The goal was to provide the best possible service to visiting guests and make them feel comfortable. The warmth of wood is abundantly felt outside and especially inside the house. Exterior doors, interior doors, and windows are typically made of wood, and shutters are always used on these windows.

Seating and furniture sets are adorned with women's handcrafted lace and similar knitted items. Turkish houses are designed for family members to live together in a warm home, bonding, welcoming guests in the most comfortable way possible, and providing them with the same warmth.

TURKISH HOUSE is about building warm, whitewashed wooden houses and bringing the warmth and connection between people, regardless of their country, religion, or culture, even if it has been forgotten, to the present day.

Bringing back history is difficult, but keeping those who lived it alive is easy.