“As if architecture” in Türkiye: Reflections on the Burj al Babas project

Abstract

This study introduces the concept of “as if architecture” to describe a prevalent approach in architecture as practiced and understood in Türkiye. It reveals “as if” circumstances in the Turkish architectural setting by focusing on the example of Burj al Babas, an unfinished residential project in Mudurnu that draws attention both in national and international media. In this context, "as if architecture" is mainly characterized as an approach where architectural content has been stripped of its ethical principles, cultural norms, competence, and commitments. It is rather supplied with superficial and merely visual interpretations. Considering its impact on the fundamental principles of the discipline and its bold representation in the Burj al Babas example, this approach deserves study in the academic sphere as well. The theoretical framework of the study is developed from the adaptation of two concepts that reveal different manifestations of "as if architecture." They are "as if personality," a personality type first identified by psychotherapist Helene Deutsch, and “acting as if,” a social phenomenon that psychologist Doğan Cüceloğlu recognized in the Turkish context. Using examples from the Turkish architectural context, the study demonstrates and analyzes these two complementary modes of “as if” situations co-existing simultaneously in the Burj al Babas project. The research integrates both empirical and theoretical methods, involving a field trip to the case study for on-site examination and integrating interdisciplinary concepts to develop a theoretical framework for architecture. These concepts are subsequently correlated with additional instances to establish an "as if" scenario within Turkish architecture.