Analysis of traditional and locality in contemporary housing design: A review in the context of Aga Khan architecture competitions

In our unique world, the activity of creating the built environment with human ability takes place in unlimited diversity in the natural flow of life. In flow and in process, architecture emerges as a multi-discipline that combines art, science and practice. At the design stage, it is inevitable to reach the right results when starting with the right questions by giving importance to the whole. It is possible to present better examples of architecture with the answers given to the question of which criteria should be sought for traditionality in contemporary housing. In the study, it is aimed to analyze the expressions put forward in the name of tradition and locality under the roof of contemporary residence and in the context of Aga Han, and to reach the criteria. Research and surveys have been carried out on the subject. The contents of the Aga Han Architecture Competition in the period between 2001-2022 were based on the main framework of local-contemporary architectural criteria. In addition to the Master Jury Statements published by the Aga Khan Academy in three-year periods, field reports of seventeen award-winning or Short-Listed residential projects were accepted as data in the study. The determined structures were examined, the expressions in the jury statements were evaluated thematically, and how traditionalism was sought and conveyed in field reports was studied in a multi-faceted manner. Analyzing the criteria extracted from the reports in several stages is the working method. Under the common denominator of protecting the cultural heritage and preserving the social fabric, globalization is an opportunity to unite and develop. Transferring the knowledge gained from the region to the building will add quality to the architectural product. In the built environment, which progresses rapidly, rapidly and by consuming, cultural heritage with respect and awareness of the integrity of nature, tradition as acquired values, as well as diversity are the elements that should be considered. The right architectural approaches will bring richness and calmness to the environment. In the awareness of making the world, the truth can always be discussed again through the products put forward. Although the ways followed in order to examine the ability to design and construct today and in the future are different, the argument presented has shown that the truth is relative.