National Architectural Movement II

After the First World War ended, nationalist and totalitarian regimes began to rise in Europe. The reflection of this perspective born in Europe manifested itself in the field of architecture, and Turkish architecture was naturally affected. One of the facts that nourished this approach can also be thought of as efforts to return to the essence, born as a reaction to foreign architect dominance. This movement, initially called "National Architecture" and later "Second National Architecture," was effective in Turkish architecture between 1939-50. This movement was based on the preference of local and national architectural elements. The National Architecture Seminar established and conducted by Sedad H. Eldem at the Fine Arts Academy became one of the pioneering foundations of the movement. Within the scope of these seminar works, Turkish civil architecture was examined in detail.

The most important difference between the Second National Architecture movement and the First National Architecture movement, which we tried to examine in earlier articles, is that emphasis is placed on elements taken from civil structures rather than religious buildings.

The Second National Architecture movement can be summarized as simpler, based on transferring essence through form, emphasizing symmetry, with stone-clad facades and monumental expression. In period structures, facade projections, corbelled eaves, arches, angular column capitals, and traditional Turkish house window proportions are seen, but domes and facade ornaments are not found. The Second National Architecture movement highlighted architectural elements with the aim of demonstrating the state's power, and accordingly, large public buildings, monuments, and assembly halls were constructed. The Turkish Pavilion at the 1939 International New York Fair (S.H. Eldem), Anıtkabir (Emin Onat, Orhan Arda, competition, 1942), İ.Ü. Faculty of Science and Letters buildings and Ankara University Faculty of Science (E. Onat, S.H. Eldem, 1943), Çanakkale Martyrs' Monument (D. Erginbaş, İ. Utkular, competition 1944) are among the most important works of the period. In our next issue, we will examine Anıtkabir in detail. [caption id="attachment_91357" align="aligncenter"] DDY Operations General Directorate Building[/caption] The architect of the DDY Operations General Directorate Building in Ankara is Bedri Uçar. The structure was completed in 1941. It is a four-story structure consisting of four blocks creating a large open courtyard in the center. Built in the shadow of World War II, shelters were provided in the basements of this structure. The mass arrangement is symmetrical according to the entrance axis. The stairs and legs extending four stories in height mark the main entrance in the center. Long corridors within the masses accommodate various necessary spaces. The very long front facade and monumental column arrangement leave an overwhelming and very powerful impression. The structure, with asmolen flooring, has a reinforced concrete skeleton. Colorful Hereke and Bilecik marbles cover much of the entrance hall; parquet, linoleum, and mosaic were used for other parts. From this, it can be inferred that the importance degrees of the spaces were considered in the selection of materials. The subbasement with pilasters outside and the middle section of the structure are clad with Ankara stone. Artificial stone was preferred for other surfaces. Renowned architect Paul Bonatz stated that he saw this structure as the finest building in Ankara. It is possible to say that this structure strongly emphasizes Neo-classical German influence both in terms of scale, facade arrangement, and materials. [caption id="attachment_91358" align="aligncenter"] Çanakkale Martyrs' Monument[/caption] The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) decided in 1943 to organize a competition for a monument to the Çanakkale martyrs. In the competition held in 1944, 37 projects participated. Doğan Erginbaş and İsmail Utkular, who were students at Istanbul Technical University, won the competition. However, the project could not be realized due to financial difficulties in the country and the continuous state of alert of the Turkish military during World War II. The application made by the National Turkish Student Union (MTTB), a student organization, to the Çanakkale Provincial Administration and the government in April 1952 caused the subject of the Martyrs' Monument to return to the Turkish public agenda. Consequently, the Ministry of National Defense decided to realize the project that had won first place in the previously opened competition. Additionally, a committee of 9 people called "Çanakkale Martyrs' Monument Construction Support Committee" was established, headed by Emin Nihat Sözeri, to oversee and organize the construction. The financial burden of the construction would be borne by the people. The committee began work toward this and conducted a fundraising campaign. Despite facing financial difficulties, the Turkish people managed to raise the necessary funds with sacrifice.

Following the tender, the foundation of the Çanakkale Monument was laid on 17 April 1954 in a jubilant ceremony held at Morto Port, and construction works began.

However, afterwards, Emin Nihat Sözeri, the Committee Chairman overseeing the monument's construction, observed some deficiencies in the construction materials and noted them in his report. The investigation showed that the construction foundation had not been cast according to the tender specifications. The project was suspended and contractors were given prison sentences through subsequent lawsuits. Significant funds were needed to resume construction of the project. A new fundraising campaign led by a newspaper received great interest from the public, and the project's completion became possible. Eventually, the monument was opened to visitors on 21 August 1960 in a ceremony. Speaking on behalf of the Çanakkale Martyrs' Monument Construction Committee, Emin Nihat Sözeri stated that the monument was completed with money the people had saved from their meager means. However, Sözeri also reminded that the debt of gratitude to the sacred memory of the martyrs could not be repaid. Located on a hilltop called Hisarlık, overlooking Morto Bay and completely dominating the Çanakkale Strait, at approximately 50 meters above sea level, the Çanakkale Martyrs' Monument stands 41.70 meters above natural ground level. The monument rises with an upward inclination, and thus the width of the legs at the level of the honor hall, which is 25.00 meters from outside to outside, decreases to 23.10 meters above. The main body of the monument consists of 4 legs with L-shaped box sections 38.75 meters high from the ground, and a cap section also with box structure and 5 meters in height resting on these four legs. The four legs forming the body are stone-clad over reinforced concrete. [caption id="attachment_91359" align="aligncenter"] Istanbul University Faculty of Science and Letters Building[/caption]   This structure was designed by two great architects, Sedad Hakkı Eldem and Emin Onat, who are the most important representatives of the Second National Architecture movement. The building fully represents the characteristics of this movement; window proportions, jambs, long eaves, high arches, alternating walls and similar other elements are evaluated within this scope. Upon careful examination, the Istanbul University Faculty of Science and Letters building can be perceived as a massive Turkish house. Consequently, the nationalization or localization of the design has been fully successful. This building, carrying influences from Ottoman monumental architecture, also features portal models and long vaults. As a result, it can be said that the Faculty of Science and Letters building, in addition to its historicist orientation, also values functionality, and with its massive and powerful structure fully represents the characteristics of the Second National Architecture movement.

References

•http://www.mimarlarodasiankara.org/binakimlikleri/_manual/BinaKimlikleriSoylesiler01web.pdf • Turkish Republican Period Architecture between 1938-1960, Ayşe Sağsöz, Reyhan Midilli Sarı, Derya Elmalı Şen, Selda Al. • Construction of the Çanakkale Martyrs' Monument and People's Contributions, Prof. Dr. Sadık Sarısaman. • A Panorama from Republican Period Architecture, Doğan Hasol. • Understanding (Telling) Sedad Hakkı Eldem I: 1930-1950, Prepared by Aslı Can, SALT Research and Programs.

Prepared by: B. Serhat Cengiz