AYŞEGÜL AKIN

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CONS 521- Reading Assignment V

Plans and Models in 15th- and 16th-Century Ottoman Architectural Practice, Gülru Necipoğlu-Kafadar

Necipoğlu-Kafadar, G. (1986). Plans and Models in 15th- and 16th-Century Ottoman Architectural Practice.
Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 45(3), 224–243. https://doi.org/10.2307/990160

In this review, I will comment on the article written by Gülru Necipoğlu-Kafadar, published in
1986. The article is an examination of models and plans used by Ottoman architects in the 15th
and 16th centuries, and although frequently cited in written sources, it was not possible to find
any concrete evidence until the time the article was written. The analysis of two early period
plans, the existence of which was discovered at the time the article was written, together with
their counterparts in different periods and different geographies, made the article innovative.
Additional presentation and design techniques employed by Ottoman architects were
investigated in depth, and the hypotheses were supported by or refuted in the light of the
available data. In this regard, this study explores the design and representation mechanisms of
Ottoman architects in a questioning and illuminating manner.

In the first part of the article, Necipoğlu examines the early Ottoman plans. Two examples of
late 16th-century Ottoman plans discovered in Austrian National Library photo albums at the
time the article was written are mentioned in this section. Both plans from the late 16th century
mentioned in this section contain information about the layout and terminology of a bath. In
addition, these plans show that the traditional forms of representation, similar to those we
encounter in later examples of Ottoman plans, are based on a more deep-rooted past. Both plans
from the late 16th century mentioned in this section contain information about the layout and
terminology of a bath. In addition, these plans show that the traditional forms of representation,
similar to those we encounter in later examples of Ottoman plans, are based on a more deep-
rooted past. The details that we do not see today in these drawn on blind checked grid plans are
interesting. For example, door arches and show niches are shown in elevation, and triangles
indicate latrines... etc. These features, seen in later examples, were dated to an earlier period
with the discovery of these plans.

Another essential feature that the author mentions in this section where she examines the
Ottoman plans is the blind grid of squares that we see as a base on these drawings. The author
also extensively examines the earlier examples of this drawing technique and its usage in
different geographies. As a result, one may claim that these gridded bases had been used as a
tool to create units that facilitated the construction and cost estimation of the structure while
standardizing the drawings. Moreover, the size of each unit of the squared papers differed
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according to the unit material dimensions to be used. This knowledge, acquired from the
author's thorough research, demonstrates that elaborate plan designs were also utilized in early
Ottoman architecture.

The elevation drawings and models of Ottoman architecture were explored in the second
section of the article. Since the buildings corresponding to the gridded-planned designs
mentioned in the first part have not survived to the present day, it is not possible to clearly
examine the reflection of these ratios on the facades. In addition, as mentioned in the article,
the surviving view drawings are lack of proportion and technique. In the light of this
information, we understand those elevation drawings were rarely used for the representation
and design of Ottoman buildings. The drawings used consist of simple representations formed
by the influence of miniature art. The author says that this is due to the fact that such a technique
was not taught in the education of Ottoman architects. However, European structures built in
the same era have highly technical and detailed facade drawings. It is surprising that the
Ottoman Empire, which was in constant communication with Europe, preserved its
traditionality in architectural drawings. The fact that the facade drawings are devoid of details
and open to interpretation allows us to infer that there is a tradition of construction based on the
plan. As the author mentioned, we do not see the standards we see in the plan organization on
the elevation drawings. In fact, while the plan organization is similar in different works of the
same architect, there are differences in the facades. How models were used in Ottoman
architecture is also examined in this article. As a result of the examples given and the written
sources discussed, it is concluded that these models are simple models that are studied or more
elaborate models for decorative purposes. In addition, as mentioned in the article, it is known
that these models played a role in presenting the design to the Sultan and ensuring his approval.

The author also examined the terminology used for ottoman drawings in a separate section.
Resm, timsal, and karname are the terms mentioned in the article. Considering that the same
word was used with different meanings, it is possible to say that this terminology can cause
confusion.

As a result, detailed information and inferences were made about the Ottoman plan and
elevation drawings in this article. As mentioned in the article, the builders used grid-based floor
plans and basic facade drawings with only some basic written measurements. For this reason,
there have been variations in the appearance of the buildings. On the other hand, the floor plans
that adhered to the standards helped to systematize Ottoman architecture. Although
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architectural models do not play as large a part as plans, they have proved useful in addressing
design difficulties and achieving aesthetic standards.