Innovative approaches in the architectural design of contemporary mosques in Turkey

In this study, regarding mosque architecture, the development of 20th century mosque architecture in Turkey is tried to be clarified by means of examining the design approaches in today's architecture. Some samples concerning development of contemporary design are selected, and these samples are examined in terms of form and functional relation, space organization, general architectural properties, and the use of traditional elements. In this way, the situation of contemporay mosque architecture in Turkey, traditional plan specifications, and the schematic innovations in the functional and symbolic usage of elements which are unchanging components of mosque architecture such as dome, minaret, direction niche (mihrab), pulpit (minbar), preaching stand and courtyard as well as modern style and order pursuits are tried to be presented. In the first chapter, the thesis starting with the construction and development of Al-Masjid Al-Nabawiy which was the first masjid continues with mosque designs of different eras having importance in their time. Formation in mosque design underwent changes due environmental effects and cultural differences. In order to be able to understand this and follow the development, important mosque buildings of different periods are studied. In Islamic religion, there is neither any information nor any rule in regard with mosque design. It developed therefore with the time and according the society. In the traditional mosques chapter, discussion and studies are given in two different sections. One of them is the cultural order and the location of the mosque whereas the other is the main space order. Design of the prayer place without any rule caused it to vary and undergo changes with the time. Those changes developed in meeting the needs. The material used played a big role as to the respective periods. With the addition of technology to the cultural exchanges and the demand rising according the needs, it increased rapidly. In the second chapter, components of the mosque architecture are studied. Components like minaret, fountain, dome etc. are introduced closely and it is explained what their functions are. In the second chapter, 13 contemporary mosques present in Turkey are studied. Those are namely the TBMM Mosque (Grand National Assembly Mosque), Kınalı Ada Mosque, Yeşil Vadi Mosque, Etimesgut Mosque, TEK Mosque, Sancaklar Mosque, Şakirin Mosque, Derinkuyu Mosque, Bursa Eyüp Mosque, Marmara İlahiyat Fakültesi Mosque (Marmara Faculty of Divinity Mosque), GOSB Mosque (Gebze Organized Industrial Zone Mosque), and Ankara Batıkent Mosque. Constructions of these 13 mosques in Turkey are completed between 1964 and 2015. The discussed mosques are studied for their plans, revetments, courtyards, minarets, fountains, minbars, mihrabs, and stands. Additionally, material usage location and function is also examined. Moreover, one of the most important elements of contemporary mosque design, i.e. light and its relation in the main space is researched. In the Conclusion and Evaluation chapter, contemporary mosques are compared and examined. Architectural elements are evaluated within groups. It is shown in the thesis that main components and planning, and that the classical Ottoman mosque as a whole is still preserved. In the contemporary mosque design however, with the innovation brought by the material and techniques, a new language is created. In conclusion, it is seen that in the contemporary mosque design in Turkey, there are schematic innovations and contemporary style and order pursuits in the functions and symbolic usages of both forms, revetments and the traditional elements like the minaret, mihrab, minbar and courtyard.