Examination of wooden mosques in Asarcik district of Samsun province and Yayla village mosque restoration prposal in the context of sustainability of vernacular heritage

Vernacular architecture serves as a tool that transmits the cultural values, local materials, and construction techniques of a region from generation to generation. Vernacular architectural heritage encompasses both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. The preservation and sustainability of cultural heritage are crucial for maintaining societal memory and sustaining urban culture. People's sense of belonging to a place and their connection to immovable cultural assets in that place are directly related. Being in both physically and sentimental harmony with their environment adds an ecological character to the buildings within the scope of vernacular architectural heritage. Climate crisis, one of the fundamental issues of our contemporary world, has highlighted the need for ecological solutions in the construction sector. Maintaining vernacular architecture is one of the most suitable local solutions. This thesis explores six wooden mosques constructed using the çantı technique in Asarcık district, Samsun province, within the context of vernacular architectural heritage in the Central Black Sea Region. These structures with religious function serve as exemplary instances of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Their ecological features, such as adaptation to the environment, use of local natural materials, and ease of relocation etc., make them environmentally friendly structures. The studied mosques are Gökgöl (Akyazı), Kılavuzlu, Musaağa (Alan), Koşaca, Yarımca, and Yayla (Çağlayan) Village Mosque. The thesis comprises five sections. The first section; provides information about the physical structure, geographical features, historical development, and social structure of Asarcık district. The second section; examines the locations, historical development, and architectural features of the six wooden mosques in Asarcık. A comparative typology analysis is conducted by evaluating their architectural elements. The third section; documents the construction techniques and materials of the mosques, supported by detailed drawings. In the fourth section; detailed documentation of Yayla Village Mosque is undertaken, and building survey and restitution projects are prepared, leading to a restoration project proposal. The fifth and final section; analyzes the structures in the context of vernacular architectural heritage and environmental sustainability. This study aims to document the wooden Friday mosques in Asarcık, highlight their significance in the context of vernacular architectural heritage and sustainability, and emphasize their importance in terms of environmental sustainability.