Turgut Cansever: In pursuit of wisdom through architecture

Abstract

"Think of the Ottoman Empire, which developed its peculiar modemity without experiencing the Tanzimat and its aftermath; this is the type of architect Turgut Cansever is," said Beşir Ayvazoğlu, a well-known Turkish literatüre and biographical writer, in his short commentary on Turgut Cansever (1921-2009). Having passed away nine years ago on Feb. 22, 2009, Cansever was a well-known Turkish architect and a prominent figüre in reinterpreting and refashioning the centuries old architectural heritage of Turkey by inventing a novel approach that combines traditional architectural principles pertaining to a set of moral values and beliefs with a modem perspective. Commentators rarely miss the chance to mention that Cansever is the only architect in the world who received Aga Khan Awards for architecture three times.