Spatial transformation of traditional Ayvalık house: a comparative analysis of two houses

The characteristics of traditional houses vary according to culture and geography and reflect cultural and historical identity of the society it belongs. Ayvalık is one of the historical settlements that preserves its original identity, due to its 19th-century traditional housing texture. The traditional houses of Ayvalık have a different ethnic structure shaped by Greek and Turkish identity. This ethnic structure reveals the traditional house texture with its characteristics embodying the influence of different lifestyles. Environmental factors emerging depending on the conditions and requirements of the period cause the damage of many traditional buildings. The research covers a comparative spatial analysis of two traditional Ayvalık houses located in İsmet Paşa Neighbourhood of Ayvalık and aims to read the transformation through the analysis of these two houses, according to the spatial characteristics of the traditional Ayvalık house defined by literature review. The reasons for selection of these two houses are: “first house has not been restored and has no a housing project, while the other house has been restored and has a housing project, and the buildings are adjacent and easily accessible by researchers”. Although there are a few traditional buildings in Ayvalık, it is very difficult to find all these features in one building. The number of sources analyzing the architecture of traditional Ayvalık houses is very limited, inventory studies of residential buildings are almost non-existent. Although the house number 2 is located in the historical site, the fact that its project has not been created is one of the important factors in case selection. By determining the spatial characteristics of the traditional Ayvalık house, the research also aims to contribute to the cultural assets documentation system and the related literature. In this context, the spatial characteristics of the traditional Ayvalık house are determined in line with the relevant literature, comparative spatial analyses of two houses are made in line with these characteristics, and the transformation of the buildings are examined through photographic documentation and on-site observation. As a result, it is determined that traditional Ayvalık houses have undergone changes in line with the needs of their users without losing their residential identity, which is generally their primary purpose of use from past to present and in the case of two houses which have the architectural characteristics of the traditional Ayvalık house; it is determined that the houses partially preserved their original spatial characteristics and preserved the traditional house texture with individual interventions and efforts.