Abstract

Despite the developments and changes in the constructional domain, most of the best construction materials of the past are still the best and the buildings of the past have still been superior to the present buildings. In such a case, the traditional must be stuck to and traditional solutions must be taken as examples. Therefore, this study investigated the building-sanitation-related elements (water disposal systems, heating and chimney systems and drainage systems) and their uses in the traditional houses (their characteristics, the changes in their uses and the extent of these changes). The study also attempted to find out the principles and criteria on which the arrangements that are the products of accumulated experiences were based in the spaces or systems. Furthermore, the study investigated how and at what level the new equipment that the new age presents are reflected in the traditional house. The dimensional, positional, directional, constructional, equipment and material characteristics of these elements were investigated in accordance with the knowledge, theories and principles of architecture and instructive data about these were obtained from the traditional houses. The traditional houses in the city of Trabzon (Turkey) were chosen as the sample area of work.

Key words: Water disposal, heating and chimney systems, drainage system, equipment and material characteristics, traditional houses.