NATURE-CULTURE RELATION IN THE TRADITIONAL RURAL ARCHITECTURE OF İNCİRKIRI (ALANYA)

Abstract

The rural settlements situated at the South-facing outskirts of the Taurus Mountain Chain of Southwestern Turkey constitute rich examples of traditional architecture of Anatolia. “Alara”, is an example for these kind of settlements. Its location is at 10 km. to the west of Alanya. It is situated at the region called “İncirkırı,” which is marked by a South-facing hillside where the Mediterranean coast comes closer to the Mountains. This study explores the role of architecture in the nature-culture relations through a detailed analysis of a typical dwelling selected amongst the architectural units of the settlement.As a result of our research undertaken during January 2010, it is found out that the small rural settlement is composed of seven dwellings which give comprehensive information about the nature-culture relations in traditional Turkish architecture. The dwellings, which have a common typological layout, reflect site-specific architectural features related with theri directions, settlement patterns on the sloppy terrain, fluency between closed, semi-closed and open spaces, spatial organizations, functional diagrams, use of materials and construction techniques.

Keywords

• Culture
• Nature
• Mediterranean
• Rural Architecture
• SW Turkey
• Anatolia
• Alanya
• Alara
• İncirkırı