Analysis of identity elements of traditional Antakya houses

Antakya has hosted different civilizations, cultures and ethnic groups throughout history, having wide range of socio-cultural elements, a deep-rooted and rich historical and cultural background. The city has a multi-layered identity as a synthesis of all the values it has by feeding on and nurturing physical and human environmental features. Traditional Antakya houses which appear as the most tangible and distinct reflection of city's having values and rich cultural structure are significant in respect of both attributing to identity of the city and reflecting of the characteristics of the city. In recent years, as the city's potential based on its rich cultural heritage has become remarkable, the city has gained importance as a tourism center from different perspectives and has started to attract demand. In this way, alterations and transformations occur at the various scales and levels in the city; especially there are re-function by assigning different function in the traditional buildings and traditional Antakya houses. As a result of this, there are undesirable consequences such as erosion of the identity elements of traditional houses, loss of identity and/or complete disappearance. So, sustainability of identity elements are on the line. In this study, the characteristics and the identity elements of traditional Antakya houses are determined, analysed and assembled on 50 traditional Antakya houses selected in the study area. Among them, 10 houses, which are thought represent different features and identity elements that houses can have, and are considered to be special in this respect, have been detailed with determinations regarding their original state. Thus, it is aimed to make the identity elements of traditional Antakya houses sustainable by passing them into literature.