Özkanlar Apartmanı by Danyal Tevfik Çiper (Gemi Ev)

          Özkanlar Apartment, also known as Gemi Ev, was designed in 1968 and constructed in 1969. It is located in the corner of Fuar Street, Çankaya district. It is recognized by the people who are living in the district. It has an influential aspect to it because of its exceptional shape, making it different from the neighboring edifices. The reason why this edifice has such an exceptional mass can be explained when the interior and the design process is examined. As a rule of thumb, a normal apartment would have the same flat repeating itself, having little to no difference. But in Özkanlar Apt. each flat has a different mass composition from each other.

The aerodynamic structure of the edifice has gone to a point which the name of it has begun to be memorialized as Gemi Ev (Ship House) But this resemblance was not the architect's intention. “Bu yapı aerodinamik bir çalışmadır. Aerodinamik olduğu için diğer aerodinamik kalıplara benzer. Pek çok kişi binayı gemiye benzeterek aerodinamik olduğunu vurguluyor. Çünkü aerodinamiği gemiden tanıyorlar. Böyle anımsanmasında benim açımdan bir sakınca yok. (Çiper, 1995)” This anecdote is important, as Riegl advocated, it is crucial to recognize the intention behind a monument to further examine its historical value. Rather than defining the value of unintentional monuments ourselves. When Çiper was alive, these sorts of detailed information were obtained and documented for newer generations to conserve the edifice in a respectful and honorable manner.

Often compared to Frank Lloyd Wright, Çiper was critiqued for the similar geometries used in his work. Çiper has taken the criticism in a light hearted manner, proudly accepting that he is influenced by Wrights ‘Organic Architecture’ ecole. Çiper, for Wright; “...Ustadan başka mimar sevmedim hayatım boyunca. Tabii ki asla kopya değil, mümkün de değil zaten. Bağırır, sırıtır.” Being a great example of modern architecture, some modernist architects have criticized the building for being too consumed with form and neglected the function. It can be observed that, in this edifice, form meets both the structural design and the function. Building was constructed in 1970, around the beginning of postmodernism. So the reasoning behind these criticisms can be understood when the period is studied.

As it can be seen on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, use of vertical stripes that collide with an elliptical mass is certainly similar. The edifices are very legible, not aiming to be complex. The volumetric expressions are conducted in a likewise manner. It can be observed  that the window casing and cornice and the fences have a similar design. But the design on the window cornices have been changed by the new owners of the building (Fig. 3) Material is reinforced concrete topped with a white paint which gives them the same smooth texture. Both of the structures do not aim to be unified. Rather existing in a separate but still intact manner. A hierarchy is not observed but the elliptical masses govern. Structure brings two prismatic masses together from their long sides by shifting and forming by adding circular forms to the edge. The unity, simplicity and the harmony of both buildings can be reconciled. 

Often mistaken to be a villa belonging to an upper class family, Özkanlar Apartment is actually an apartment consisting of 6 flats. Both the ground floor and the first floor have 2 flats, after the second floor there are two duplex apartments that are using the terrace. Two flats located on the ground floor were being planned on being rented, meanwhile the remaining flats were meant to be used by the Özkan family. There are five floors when the basement and the usable terrace is counted.  The interior design was made according to the habitants needs. First floor flat that is facing the main street's facade facing south was designed to have large windows, creating a spacious room that contains a kitchen and a closed, circular space. This space was designed to be laminated using a slim light tape but this detail was neglected during the construction works.

            After the economic depression that took place after the 1980s, unfortunately the original owners, Özkan Family, of the building had to sell their property except one of them. The new owners of 6^th and 7^th apartments made such alterations that resulted in building losing its artistic value on the interior. The modification that has taken place on the 6^th apartment has been partially restored. On the top floor, roof is leaking so the water insulation membrane is in bad condition. Because of the fire that took place 2 years ago, caused by the sauna added into the top floors bathroom.

            Designing a cantilever slab that has this much of a space was not very common for its time. (Circular balcony has a diameter of 3,5 meters, and the rectangular one has a 5 meter width.)  The main structural elements of the building are located near the staircase and wet areas as shear walls, rather than placing a column on every wall intersection. This creates an open plan for the flats. Civil engineer that designed the structural system was Eral Soner. There were no contractors involved in the project, which gave Çiper freedom to create the dynamic environment and the desired flow scheme for the apartment. Çiper also designed the interior elements of the apartment including the furniture. 

Guggenheim Museum ( Source: https://birgunbiryerde.blogspot.com)

Özkanlar Apartmanı (Source: http://www.arkiv.com.tr)

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

-CENGİZKAN, M, (2013), Tavizsiz bir Modernist Mimar: Danyal Tevfik Çiper, Arkadaş Yayınevİ

-BAYRAKTAR,N, (2014), Sivil Mimari Bellek: Ankara 1930-1980

-Real estate supervisor of the building.