The European Influence on the Ottoman Timber Residences in Istanbul

Wooden houses have special importance in the Ottoman architectural heritage. Istanbul is known to possess the most impressive examples and a huge variety of wooden houses. S. Feyza Ergün reveals the characteristics of the wooden Ottoman houses from Istanbul built between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A wide range of districts including Prince Islands is examined to present a holistic view. European styles, mainly eclecticism, historicism and Art Nouveau were actively used on timber buildings of this period. Based on the collected information from over 800 authentic dwellings, remarkable elements such as the structural system, joinery methods, facades, interior spaces, decorative units and others are analysed.The given information and systematic classifications in this work expose the transformation of the traditional wooden houses, while making similarities and differences to European examples more apparent.