Thesis Defense - Beyza Zihar (MSARCH)

Beyza Zihar – M.Sc. in Architecture

Prof. Dr. Alper Ünlü – Advisor

Date: 22.08.2023

Time: 11.00-12:30

Location: AB4 315

“SYNTACTIC ANALYSIS OF THE SPATIAL CHANGE OF ÇORUM BİNEVLER HOUSING COOPERATIVE”

Prof. Dr. Alper Ünlü, Özyeğin University

                    Asst. Prof. Dr. Nevşet Gül Çanakçıoğlu, Özyeğin University

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evren Burak Enginöz, İstanbul Kültür University

Abstract:

In this study, the built environment is handled with a holistic approach, not only in the context of physical functions but also as an essential factor in determining the social structure of societies. Housing, as the primary building unit that constitutes the concept of the built environment, has undergone various formations since the early ages and has become a complex concept due to the sheltering needs of living things. Thanks to housing research, which has an essential place in literature, it is possible to examine the changes in the spatial organization of housing units in line with different reasons and processes. Changes in spatial organization shape the social structure by affecting the communication between individuals; It has been observed that changes in the social structure are also an essential factor in the configuration of housing spaces. In addition, the changes and developments experienced in the historical process have affected and shaped societies and, therefore, the housing units in various aspects. Thanks to the evaluation of cooperative housing projects, which are presented as a solution to the housing problem that arises for various reasons, the functioning mechanisms of the social housing concept in our country will be evaluated. The effect of environmental design and behavior theory on the behavior patterns of individuals will be tried to be revealed in the thesis study.

Binevler housing cooperative located in Çorum, designed by Behruz and Altuğ Çinici and designed and implemented between 1971-1975, has been examined within the scope of this dissertation. In this study, which deals with the change and formation of the dwelling space with its social dimensions, 25 houses, which are exposed to various changes due to the adaptation processes of the house users and the personalization they make in the spatial elements in this process, have been selected with the aim of understanding the changes in the spatial context and questioning their reasons. Observations, face-to-face interviews, changes between the original and current plans of the residences, photographs, and selected syntactic parameters to reach mathematical data within the scope of the space syntax method were discussed at each residence.

In this study, the importance of examining the spatial preference behaviors of the users is emphasized to understand which spatial unit personalization occurs most in the houses during the adaptation of users and the relationship between the changes made in the spaces included in the research and the social structure. To make these measurements, each residence included in the study was visited, and the dwellers of the residences were interviewed. After the observations were made, in addition to the explanations of the participants about their residential use preferences, the reasons for the residents' tendency to add and remove and the changes in the spatial elements of the houses were tried to be correlated. As a method in the research, the spatial syntax method was applied together with the observations and interviews with the residents—moreover, markings were made in the original plans. Thanks to the Syntax 2D program used to take the outputs of space syntax analysis in the research, the spatial units that shape the houses that are the subject of the research and the relations between these units are examined. With Syntax 2D, the dynamics between the original plan of the house and the current plan that emerged as the output of the adaptation process were interpreted accordingly.

In the research, syntactic parameters such as integration, connectivity, mean depth, variance, circularity, and centrality were used within the scope of the spatial syntax method. The mean average mathematical values and changes in the parameters were also examined. Grids were selected from the functional units that make up the house, and mathematical data were compared. Considering the data obtained from the interviews, the behavioral patterns of the participant group and the mathematical data obtained from the syntactic parameters were synthesized and interpreted through graphics. It has been observed that the changes in the spatial elements in the dwellings discussed in the research create results related to the behavioral patterns and lifestyles of the dwelling users stated in the interviews.

Bio:

Mrs. Beyza Zihar completed her bachelor’s degree in architecture at Özyeğin University in 2020. Subsequently, in 2020, Zihar commenced her master's degree in architecture at Özyeğin University. Simultaneously, she has worked as a Teaching Assistant in the SSLab and various architecture program classes since 2021. Zihar contributed to the +10 research internship with SSLab in 2022. Her research focuses on space syntax theory and environmental behavior theory. At present, she actively engages in her master's thesis under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Alper Ünlü. Her recent achievements include the publication of a conference paper titled "An Evaluation on The Spatial Change Of Çorum Binevler Housing Cooperative" at the esteemed 13th International Sinan Symposium.