Places of thinking and self evaluation: Anatolian çilehanes

Abstract

The basis of the idea that originates the existence of architectural spaces underlies a function or to meet the needs and requests of the user. These functions emerged ontologically from basic needs and then diversified. However, thinking function has not been evaluated within these basic needs. Although there is no specialized area of study for spaces devoted to thinking within the architecture and interior design discipline, the main aim of this study is to investigate the historical existence and to determine their basic features of thinking spaces. In this context, the study first makes a conceptual analysis of thinking in space and specialized places or thought. In the second part, the thinking-based spaces in Eastern civilization and the buildings realized by the reflections of similar cultures are focused. After these investigations, Çilehane buildings and their interiors, which are special structures, used for thinking within several belief systems seen in Anatolia are examined. In the field study, the aim is to define the architectural and spatial characteristics of Çilehanes. The thought process intrinsically is associated with solitude and serenity and thus requires isolated environments. The study tries to reread the definitions made in the existing literature about the thinking spaces through the architectural and spatial formations of Çilehanes. The 10 cases of Çilehanes belonging to various belief systems in Anatolia form the context of the study. The cases are examined by a formal analysis method through four criteria: the building mass, facade organization, the openness-closeness character of interiors, and interior features. The result of the research shows that the examined Çilehanes have universal characteristics for the thinking function. The main characteristics of the buildings and the interior spaces such as being far from the society and the city, located in forests, waterfront or mountainous areas, having single volume, and minimum equipment correspond to the significant principles of thinking places.