Comparative evaluation of rock architecture shaped in different geographies in terms of sustainability, Turkey/Cappadocia (Göreme)-İran/Azerbaijan (Kandovan) case

Mankind has always needed a place where it can shelter and protect itself from the past to the present, and in this direction, it has started to take shelter in caves and create places to live later. Rock carved structures are considered as examples of places where people can shelter, live and be protected from natural factors such as enemies, wild animals, wind, rain, storms.Rock architecture is a type of architecture that emerged as a result of the carving of naturally occurring rocks by human hands using ancient tools and methods.Within the scope of this research, examples of rock architecture that took shape in two different geographies (Iran, Kandovan) and (Turkey, Cappadocia) were discussed. One of the most important issues in the world today is the concept of sustainability.Sustainable architecture aims to keep the environmental impact of buildings to a minimum in the use of materials, energy, development space and ecosystem in general.According to the researches, it is possible to understand the existence of sustainability principles in rock structures. In this study, the sustainability levels of rock structures in two different countries were investigated, their similarities and differences were compared, and then, with the results obtained, suggestions were presented for making contemporary structures sustainable.