Student:	Nihan CANBAKAL ATAOĞLU
Supervisor:	Prof. Dr. Şengül ÖYMEN GÜR
Department:	Mimarlık
Institution:	Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences
University:	Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey

Title of the Thesis:	An Antithesis in Contemporary Achitecture: Circulation Spaces
Level:	Ph.D.
Acceptance Date:	2/1/2009
Number of Pages:	355
Registration Number:	i667

Summary:

In modern architecture, the richness of the forms that appeals to the different groups

of people seems more remarkable than ever. However, especially in the Postmodern

period, when the interior space organization and building sections are studied, it is also

seen that in the interior space some spatial perceptions which have never been experienced

before were formed as well. Through the finding that the circulation areas, as the indoor

passages, are constructed as the fantasy area of the architects and all types of formal

attempts were made with them, those passages are classified from large scale to the small

scale in general terms in the thesis. The general frame of the topic was outlined and the

modern buildings which are remarkable through their circulation areas were analyzed. The

study has the following chapters.

In the first chapter, the present situation, the aim of the study and the definition were

given and the concept of space and definitions were dealt with.

In the literature review chapter, the physical, social, cultural and psychological

determinants of the passages were given and the changes on these spaces in time were

dealt with. In the following chapter, the concept of passage was classified from large scale

to the small scale and thus semantic, conceptual and spatial dimensions were dealt with.

Following this general and comprehensible framework, analysis of the circulation areas on

the 15 selected samples from the post modern buildings were done in order to confirm the

change in these areas.

In line with the findings and analysis made by the tables created in findings and

discussion section, the concepts analyzed in circulation fields were opened to discussion

through questioning for the purpose of confirming today’s situation, evolution and

changes, experienced in pre-modern, modern, and post-modern periods.

In the result and suggestion section, the reasons of the changes, experienced in the

fields of circulation and its negative and positive aspects were all dealt with.

Key Words: Space, Spatial relations, Spatial organization, Passages, Circulation, Spatial scenairos