Author(s)

GÜLÞEN DÝÞLÝ

Abstract

In Turkey, stained and/or plain/colourless glass ceiling technology in historic buildings were used intensively, especially in early Republican Period of 1920s, and this technology is now approaching its 100th anniversary. In those years, both foreign and local architects designed and constructed public and civic buildings with stained or plain glass ceilings, mostly in the First National Architectural Movement Style or in modern international style. Yet, though there is a vast amount of research on those historic buildings, their glass ceilings have not been investigated and hence require a thorough examination. Thus, only with proper knowledge will this important historic feature hand down the next generations another 100 years. This research uses a case study approach by examining eight case study buildings: all have stained or plain glass ceilings constructed in 1926–1941 and all are located in historic parts of Ankara. It is considered important to document and preserve any glass ceiling application surviving from those periods. In this study, no significant differences were found in terms of the place of use, structure, and style of glass ceiling applications in case study buildings, no matter whether they were designed by a foreign or local architect, which confirms the reality of acculturation among the designers. The research also showed that the examined buildings all continue to be used in, or similar to, their original function, and their glass ceilings are mostly in good condition without any structural problem, yet require periodic cleaning in order to exhibit their decorations and integrity much more clearly and efficiently.

Keywords

historic buildings, stained glass, ceiling, Ankara, Turkey, First National Architectural Movement Style, radical modernization