Transformation of Minarets in Contemporary Mosque Architecture in Turkey

This study aims to explore the usage, the formal and functional transformation of minarets in contemporary mosque architecture in Turkey, through a survey of the selected cases. The selected cases are the outstanding examples of Turkish contemporary mosque architecture. Their architects are innovative in their design decisions and displayed their own design approach and interpretation outside the main stream contemporary mosque design in Turkey. In this study, six mosques for every decade beginning from 1960’s are analyzed in terms of their general architectural features, the usage and interpretation of minarets in their designs. Throughout the selected cases, the modification of forms and functions are studied and compared with the pre-modern ones as well as with each other. The changed forms and functions of minarets and the introduction of new ideas to their design are also discussed. By this way, a general evaluation regarding the developments and progress in contemporary mosque architecture in Turkey is proposed with reference to comparative results. On this basis, this study demonstrates that the main elements, organization schemes and planning setups of Classical Ottoman Mosque are still preserved in the selected mosque examples. The novelty brought to their design is basically the usage of modern materials and techniques and a formal exploration of mosque design. This study claims that, architects of contemporary mosques in Turkey are in search for newness and innovation in their designs as a contribution for the progress of mosque architecture. This search for innovation has mostly leaded the architects to some atypical forms, although in some cases traditional solutions and standpoints have taken place.