Healing archi̇tecture: An investigation on biophilic elements in Anatolian darussifas

The negativities observed in human health and quality of life since the last century have led scientists to the root of this problem. As a result of researches, the instinctive connection between man and nature was discovered, and the concept of biophilia, which means tendency for life and all living things, was introduced. Many researchers from different disciplines, working in this field, agreed that the greatest responsibility in supporting the human connection with nature lies in architectural decisions, and identified a number of biophilic design patterns that can be applied in buildings to build healing spaces linked to nature. Although biophilic design parameters are considered for modern buildings, it is known that there are applications made with similar concerns in historical buildings. In this context, the aim of this study is to trace the healing features of architecture in historical buildings. In the study, first of all, existing classifications developed on biophilic design approaches and biophilic design studies prepared by researchers from different disciplines were examined, and in this way, the combined models, processes and properties of biophilic design were determined. Later, the focus was on "darüşşifa", one of the most important values of the Turkish architectural heritage, built with the concept of "healing space" using the healing elements of nature. Five of the surviving Anatolian Seljuk Darüşşifas (Kayseri Gevher Nesibe Darüşşifa, Sivas I. İzzeddin Keykavus Darüşşifa, Divriği Turan Melek Darüşşifa, Tokat Muineddin Pervane Darüşşifa and Amasya Anber bin Abdullah Darüşşifa) were selected for the field study and were evaluated according to the biophilic parameters. As a result of the investigations, it was seen that many biophilic design elements including direct and indirect nature usage were applied in these buildings and these applications played an important role in the "healing space" properties of darüşşifas. It is clear that with future interdisciplinary and large-scale research on these buildings, innovative perspectives on existing biophilic design approaches / classifications can be developed.