Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Conference on Interactions between Tradition & Modernity in Architecture & Design, İstanbul, Türkiye, 17 - 18 Temmuz 2025, ss.36, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
In Türkiye, environmental, climatic and socio-cultural factors are often overlooked in housing design. However, in some regions,
traditional urban textures have been preserved by taking these elements into consideration. Midyat stands out with its architecture
shaped by historical, cultural and environmental conditions. While the hot climate and soil structure of the region affect housing
styles, social values such as privacy, family structure and security shape spatial organization. 'Katori' stone extracted in Midyat
is an important material in traditional houses. When used with thick walls and high ceilings, it provides thermal comfort and
visual harmony. Courtyard layouts support introverted life and social interaction with minimal external landscaping. After the
industrial period, population growth and housing needs led to the spread of a uniform architecture throughout Turkey. However,
the Assyrians who returned to Kafro (Elbeğendi) after 2002 revived this heritage by integrating Midyat stone into modern villas.
These houses have larger gardens and distinct landscaping suitable for modern lifestyles. In this study, traditional Midyat houses
and modern Kafro villas are compared, emphasizing how regional identity is reflected in architectural forms, and emphasizing
differences in spatial organization, cultural characteristics and landscape use.