Functional Systems in Istanbul, Şehzade and Edirne, Selimiye Mosque Complexes and Their Qualitiy Analyses

Abstract

Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, acoustical, clean water, wastewater, and roof drainage systems, referred to as functional systems in historic buildings, have long been among the most important factors in the continued existence of buildings. These systems, which serve to meet the water needs of buildings, provide drainage of wastewater or rain/snow water, support thermal comfort, natural ventilation, cooling, and lighting conditions for spaces and their occupants, were usually built as part of a foundation with the building itself. In this research, the Şehzade Complex in Istanbul, an apprentice work of architect Sinan, and the Selimiye Complex in Edirne, a masterpiece of his, were studied for their functional systems. These systems were presented for the first time in terms of their types, architectural features, and locations, and evaluated based on their functional quality analyses. In this way, a comparative analysis of the functional systems of two mosque complexes built by architect Sinan in the first and last period of his activity was carried out. Although the complex buildings that architect Sinan constructed are very well researched in terms of their plan, architecture, and decoration, the fact that they have been studied only in a very limited study in terms of their functional systems, which are part of the passive means of survival, increases the originality value of this research.