Constructing Space: Physical versus Immaterial? Coffeehouse in the Ottoman/Turkish Society

Abstract

Architectural space is a complex phenomenon, comprising of physical and immaterial characteristics. Physical, together with intangible variables, define space. The concern of this study is to understand and discuss space in the example of coffeehouse of the Ottoman-Turkish society, the underlying issues related to the existence and endurance of the coffeehouse space in spite of the societal and environmental transformation going on within its context in history. The approach followed is interpretation of literature, selected texts that use coffeehouse as setting. The aim is to initiate further search for understanding the generic issues that form space and ensure its continuity.

Keywords

• Space; Literature; History; Coffeehouse; Culture

References

1. Adivar, H. E. (1969). Sinekli Bakkal. Istanbul: Atlas Kitabevi.
2. Ali S. (2006). Hanende Melek. In Y.N. Nayır, and E. Ercan, (eds.). Tanzimattan Gunumuze Turk Oyku Antolojisi. (pp.91-97). Istanbul: Varlik Yay.
3. Butler, J. (2000). Excerpts from ‘Subversive Bodily Acts’. In J. Rendell, B. Penner, and I. Borden, (eds.) Gender Space Architecture: An Interdisciplinary Introduction. (pp.96- 98). New York, NY: Routledge.
4. David, J. (1999). Osmanlı Doneminde Halep’teki Kahvehaneler: Carsi ve Mahalle Kahveleri. In H.D. Gregoire, and F. Georgean, (eds.) Dogu’da Kahve ve Kahvehaneler. M. Atik, and E. Ozdogan, (tr.) (pp. 125-140).Istanbul: Yapi Kredi Yayinlari.
5. Desmet-Gregoire, H. (1999). Giris. H.D. Gregoire, and F. Georgean, (eds.) Dogu’da Kahve ve Kahvehaneler. M. Atik, and E. Ozdogan, (tr.) ( pp. 13-26).Istanbul: Yapi Kredi Yayinlari.
6. Evren, B. (1996). Eski Istanbul’da Kahvehaneler. Istanbul: A.D.Yayincilik.
7. Faik, S. (1970). Bütün Eserleri IV Mahalle Kahvesi Havada Bulut. Ankara: Bilgi Yayinlari.
8. Foucault, M. (2000). ‘Space, Knowledge and Power. In M. Hays (ed.) Architecture / Theory Since 1968 (pp. 429-439) New York: MIT Press.

9. Fortuijn, J. D., Horn, A.,et al.(2004). ‘‘Gendered Spaces’ in Urban and Rural Context, An Introduction’. GeoJournal. 61: 215- 217.
10. Frank, K. (2002). Women and Environment. In R. Bechtel, and A. Churchman, (eds.) Handbook of Environmental Psychology (pp.247-361) New York: J.Wiley.
11. Gurpinar, H.R. (1999). Deli Filozof. Istanbul: Ozgur Yay.
12. Hattox, R. (1998). Kahve ve Kahvehaneler Bir Toplumsal Icecegin Yakindogudaki Kokenleri. N. Elhuseyni, (tr.) Istanbul: Tarih Vakfi Yurt Yayinlari.
13. Hays, M. (2000). Architecture / Theory Since 1968 (pp. 428) New York: MIT Press.
14. Heise U. (2001). Kahve ve Kahvehane. M. Tuzel, (tr.) Ankara: Dost Kitabevi Yayinlari.
15. Kemal, O. (2002). Gurbet Kuslari. Istanbul: Tekin Yay.
16. Koskela, H. (1999) ‘‘Gendered Exclusions’: Women’s Fear of Violence and Changing Relations to Space’. Geografiska Annaler. Series B, Human Geography: Vol.81, No 2: 111-123.
17. Lefebvre, H. (1991). The Production Space, S. Nicholson.(tr) Cambridge MA: Blackwell.
18. Markus, T., Cameron, D. (2002). The Words between the Spaces- Buildings and Language. London: Routledge.
19. Mernissi, F. (2003). The Meaning of Spatial Boundaries,’ Feminist Postcolonial Theory. In R. Lewis, and S. Mills, (eds.) Edinburgh University Press., Edinburgh, pp.483-491.
20. Milner A., Browitt J. (2002). Contemporary Cultural Theory. London: Routledge.
21. Mintzuri, H. (2002). Istanbul Anilari 1897-1940. S. Kuyumcuyan, (tr.) Istanbul: Tarih Vakfi Yurt Yayinlari.
22. Rendell, J. (2000) Introduction: ‘Gender’. In J., Rendell, B. Penner, and I. Borden, (eds.) Gender Space Architecture: An Interdisciplinary Introduction. (pp.101-108). New York NY: Routledge.
23. Seamon, D. (2000). Phenomenology, Place, Environment, and Architecture A Review. Environmental & Architectural Phenomenology www.arch.ksu.edu/seamon/Seamon_reviewEAP.htm Newsletter. (Accessed March 14, 2007). Available from
24. Toros, T. (1998). Kahvenin Oykusu. Istanbul: Iletisim Yayinlari.
25. Unver, S. (1963). Türkiye’de Kahve ve Kahvehaneler. Ankara: Turk Tarih Kurumu Basimevi. RESUME
26. Prof. Dr. Sema Soygeniş is an architect, faculty and A. Dean at Faculty of
27. Architecture and Design/Bahçeşehir University,İstanbul.
28. İrem Maro Kırış is an architect and Assistant Professor of History and
29. Theory of Architecture,at Faculty of Architecture and Design/
30. Bahçeşehir University, whose research interests are Urban History,
31. History of Architecture, Turkish Modernity, Cultural Studies, and Design Education.