Evaluation of adaptive reused traditional Turkish houses based on physical features: The case of Kütahya

Historical structures are the memory of societies and cities with their identities. Traditional Turkish houses, one of these historical structures, have been the focus of the thesis study. Some of these structures, which have become inactive over time due to the effect of urbanization, have been re-functioned and reintroduced to the city. These structures, which have preserved their existence in many parts of Anatolia, have a common language coming from their culture, and in fact, all of them have their own identity characteristics. The study aims to examine the effect of the change of function in traditional houses on the original physical characteristics of the structure and the building identity. The study covers the re-functioned traditional houses in Pirler and Börekçiler neighborhoods, where the historical texture is concentrated in the central district of Kütahya. The limitation of the study was provided by considering the criteria such as the new functions of the structures, courtyard forms and sofa units indirectly affected by the building order, and Kossuth House, Germiyan Mansion, Âlâ Mansion and Germiyan Beylik Mansion were selected for the study. The selected structures in the study were photographed on-site with fieldwork and evaluated by making comparisons in line with the restoration projects and reports received from the Kütahya Cultural Heritage Protection Regional Board Directorate and the information obtained through literature research. The original physical features of the structures were examined and important factors in terms of their traditional identities such as sofa types, courtyard-street relations and entrances to the structure were compared. These elements were evaluated within the framework of privacy, spatial flexibility, social interaction areas and new functions. The balance between functional changes and the preservation of the original physical features of the structures was questioned and inferences were made. The importance of the harmony of the new function and original physical features for the continuity of the cultural heritage of traditional houses to be re-functioned in the future was emphasized. At the same time, it was aimed for the four structures selected in the study; Kossuth House, Germiyan House, Âlâ House, Germiyan Beylik House to take their place in the literature with documents such as photographs and floor plans.