Student:	Özgür HASANÇEBİ DEMİRKAN
Supervisor:	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan USTA
Department:	Mimarlık
Institution:	Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences
University:	Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey

Title of the Thesis:	THE MIMESIS IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN; MIMETIC ANALYSIS ON THE PROJECTS OF INTERNATIONAL ARCHIPRIX COMPETITON
Level:	Ph.D.
Acceptance Date:	14/5/2010
Number of Pages:	276
Registration Number:	Di769

Summary:

An analysis of the general framework of the recent architectural design practice reveals

that criticizing, valuation or interpretation of designed projects are based on only the visual

values or architectural images of these works. These kinds of approaches bring about discussing

architectural images and valuation of the projects over their similarities. For example: an

architectural image resembled to the figure of fish is considered as a design practice with

analogical approach to fish; however, two buildings resembling fish are forced to be discussed

over the similarities. For these reasons, this study is labeled like following;

1- General information; the literature of the mimesis in architecture discipline was

reviewed. Based on the texts of the philosophers who built their views on the concept of mimesis

or who mentioned mimesis in their studies, “mimetic systems” summarizing mimesis in

philosophical expressions were prepared. The mimetic system is to obtain a system comprised of

the answers of the researchers to the questions: what is mimesis, object and methods?

2- Conducted studies; the problem of the study was identified and a mathematical

method to solve this problem was developed. Within the framework of the last determined

method, analysis tables operating with cyclic algorithms were prepared.

3- Findings; under light of the findings obtained from the analyses comparing mimetic

systems and student projects, similarities of architectural images were discussed over the

relationship students’ project established with mimesis, within the context of imitation and copy.

The elements and components of these concepts were evaluated within the context of visual,

conceptual and creative values of architectural design practice.

4- Results and suggestions; the relationship between architectural design practice and

mimesis; and imitation and copy which are mimesis concepts, were tried to be determined with

all positive and negative aspects within the context of students’ projects.

Key Words: Architectural Form, Mimesis, Imitation, Copy, Architectural Design