TRADITIONAL TURKISH HOUSES CEILINGS
Rahmi ARAS1*, Ihsan KURELI2, Erhan ISLER3, Murat ERBUYUR4
1
Gazi University, Faculty of Technical Education, Department of Furniture and Decoration;
06500, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey.
2
Gazi University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Wood Product Industrial Engineering,
06500, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey.
3
Giresun University, Technical Sciences Vocational School,
Giresun, Turkey
4
Kutahya Professional Education Center,
Kutahya, Turkey
Key words
Abstract
Traditional Turkish house, Ceilings are distinctive parts of traditional Turkish houses. The ceilings in
Wooden ceiling,
these houses are designed in various forms and shapes according to the
Ceiling decorations.
uses of the rooms. The ceilings, which are made from pinaceae wood,
especially stand out with their intricately designed ornamentations.
Beautiful botanical motifs and patterns, as well as geometric motifs and
patterns, are commonly used in these ornamentations. Hand-drawn
coloration, which is another traditional Turkish ornament, is used in some
ceiling decorations. Hand-drawn coloration generally includes Rumi and
Hatai motifs and patterns. Such ceiling ornamentations are also used in
palaces, mansions, and mosques as well as in houses. Today, wooden
ceilings are one of the most damaged parts of the traditional Turkish
houses. A few different techniques are used in wooden ceiling
applications. Almost all of them have wooden ornaments at the center. At
the center there are generally star patterns which are mounted in square
or circular frames using bolection molding. Some ceilings have hexagonal
frames at their centers, representing Rumi and Hatai style carved
ornaments. In the case of ceilings with less ornamentation, the
appearance of the ceiling is enhanced through geometrical partitions using
bolection molding. Although it is rarely applied, traditional Turkish house
ceilings, which are unique in terms of both the ornaments and geometrical
partitions can be seen in some new buildings.Wooden ceiling models
should be restored and conserved in order to maintain Turkish traditional
arts in general. Apart from traditional producing systems, with the help of
technological advancements such as CNC machines, it is possible to
produce new wooden ceiling models easily.
Corresponding author: rahmiaras@gazi.edu.tr. Aras R. Gazi University, Faculty of Technical Education,
Department of Furniture and Decoration, 06500, Besevler, Ankara, Turkey.
1. INTRODUCTION
In traditional Turkish house, materials made from panacea wood, are widely used in the
ceiling and flooring coverings. In addition to wooden materials; fabric, leather, plaster, paint,
glazed tiles and rarely mother of pearl inlaid are used as a covering material of the ceilings.
The rooms of the traditional Turkish houses are generally planned as square. In some
examples, steep cornered and non-squared rooms as a result of existing terrain may be seen
(Eldem 1954).
Aras et al. (2015). “Traditional Turkish houses ceilings”
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference
Research for Furniture Industry
September 2015, Turkey
Most of the time, even though the room form is non-square, the ceilings of those rooms have
been arranged in square shape (Erbuyur 2003). Square or not, the view of the ceilings is
enriched by creating different centerpieces in the middle of the ceilings and adding
adornments. In some rectangular hall rooms, application of dual centerpieces can be seen. In
the combination of the centerpieces, there are different geometrical arrangements. Besides, Page | 415
the construction of the ceilings can vary according to spatial purpose of use, economic
situation of the owner and ability of craftsman (Kucukerman 1973) (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The ceiling of a Safranbolu house
Adornments of the ceiling of main room are richer and flashier than the adornments seen in
other rooms.
There are some important advantages of covering the ceiling and floor in wood material:

In terms of human health,

In terms of aesthetic appearance,

In terms of room temperature,

In terms of the positive effect of it on the human psychology.
2. WOODEN CEILING CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES IN THE
TRADITIONAL TURKISH HOUSE
Inverse ceiling
It is the type of ceiling that is the easiest in application and the most modest in decoration. In
this type of ceiling, covering boards are placed side by side onto the wooden beams. There is
a segmented view on the ceiling since the lower parts of the beams, which remain inside of
the room, are not covered. This implementation is done in case of non-featured works. Since
ground floor is used for daily chores storing food but now some of them used as a cafe in the
Aras et al. (2015). “Traditional Turkish houses ceilings”
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference
Research for Furniture Industry
September 2015, Turkey
Turkish traditional houses, the inverse ceiling applications are seen on the ceilings of the
rooms located on those floors as the upper part of the ceiling constitutes the flooring of other
living spaces of the house (Erbuyur 2003; Aras et al. 2005; Isler and Aras 2013; Yildirim and
Hidayetoglu 2006) (Figure 2.a).
Page | 416
Figure 2. Wooden ceiling construction techniques in the traditional Turkish house
Flat ceiling
It’s the most widely used ceiling type in the traditional Turkish house. Its application is done
by putting the wood pieces which have been prepared for ceiling covering side by side and
assembling them with lower parts of the wooden beams (Figure 2.b). Bolection moldings are
generally used in the junction of the wooden ceiling pieces and the wall. Bolection moldings
provide a modest appearance at the corners beside the enrichment in the view of ceiling. In
this easy and practical application, in order to make the ceiling look richer in embellishment
various geometrical arrangements and ornamentations can be done by means of the use of
bolection molding. Furthermore, in case of some examples where S and C shaped motifs are
used, reminiscent characteristics of the Baroque style are observed in the implementation
(Erbuyur 2003; Aras et al. 2005; Isler and Aras 2013; Yildirim and Hidayetoglu 2006).
Caisson ceiling
Similar to the technique that is used in the construction of flat ceiling; wooden planks are
placed on the wooden beams (Figure 2.c). Its technical term comes from the method whereby
bolection moldings are gradually joined to the parts where the ceiling and wall edges meet.
Although this ceiling type is time consuming and costly with regard to the craftsmanship and
material compared to other ceiling examples, it has an aesthetic appearance. Furthermore,
there are also examples of side margins that are adorned with carving and stencil decoration
(Figure 1). In some cases of bolection molding and scantlings, it is also possible to encounter
some implementations that are under effect of the Baroque style (Figure 2.c). In order to
enrich its aesthetic appearance, ornamentation styles such as star and lozenge (baklava)
shapes, muqarnas, geometrical, S and C shaped motifs, beautiful botanical forms, curved
branches and badges can be seen (Erbuyur 2003; Aras et al. 2005; Isler and Aras 2013;
Yildirim and Hidayetoglu 2006).
Generally, various center applications which are in star, ellipse, pinwheel and rose shape, can
be seen in the mid-section of the ceilings. In the remaining parts of the ceilings, there are
Aras et al. (2015). “Traditional Turkish houses ceilings”
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference
Research for Furniture Industry
September 2015, Turkey
ornamental arrangements with massive scantlings. The stencil decoration has an important
place for some cases of ceiling adornment (Kucukerman 1973; Isler and Aras 2013).
3. OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF WOOD CEILING DECORATION
In the ceiling decorations some special techniques of wood jointing (Kündekâri) (Sogutlu Page | 417
2004) (Figure 3.a), lattage ceiling (Çıtakari) (Figure 3.b), carved woods (applique) (Figure
3.c), incurved scantlings, carving and stencil ornamentation have been applied (Erbuyur 2003;
Aras et al. 2005; Isler and Aras 2013).
Figure 3. Overall assessment of wood ceiling decoration


Ceiling decorations are highly varied and rich in aesthetic appearance (Figure 1).
Wood pieces contribute to decoration even in the simplest ceiling examples (Figure 4).
Figure 4. The ceiling of a Kastamonu house in detail and schematic drawing

Even in the absence of carving; inlay, painting stenciled decorations, bolection
moldings that are mounted by nailing on the junctions of the wood pieces constituting the
ceiling surface provide an aesthetic appearance (Figure 5).
Aras et al. (2015). “Traditional Turkish houses ceilings”
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference
Research for Furniture Industry
September 2015, Turkey
Page | 418
Figure 5. The ceiling of a Safranbolu house in detail and schematic drawing

Corded massive margin is an important element of the ceiling moldings (Figure 5-6).
Figure 6. The ceiling of a Safranbolu house in detail and schematic drawing

Implementations of bolection moldings in zigzag pattern enrich the ceiling’s
appearance (Figure 6-7).
Figure 7. The ceiling of a Safranbolu house and a detail

Hatai, Rumi, and curved branches (which is the combination of them) style
decorations are important (Figure 1).

In some cases, the rosette applications that have been combined gradually by means of
star, pinwheel, rose, ellipse, polygon and bolection moldings are in the forefront (Figure 4 and
8).
Aras et al. (2015). “Traditional Turkish houses ceilings”
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference
Research for Furniture Industry
September 2015, Turkey
Page | 419
Figure 8. The ceiling of a Kutahya house in detail and schematic drawing

The arrangements, which require quality in craftsmanship and time management, are
indispensable elements of the wooden ceilings. They can be organized in ninety degree angle
with the bolection moldings, forty-five degrees in square ceilings and thirty degrees in
rectangular ceilings (Figure 5-9).
Figure 9. Schematic ceiling plan of a Kutahya house, the ceiling in detail and schematic
drawings
Aras et al. (2015). “Traditional Turkish houses ceilings”
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference
Research for Furniture Industry
September 2015, Turkey

Lastly, in order to achieve a decorative appearance wooden boards with corded edges
can be assembled by parquet technique (Figure 10).
Page | 420
Figure 10. Schematic ceiling plan of a Kutahya house and the ceiling in detail
4. CONCLUSIONS
In the traditional Turkish house, wooden ceilings and decorations have a very important
place. So that, in the most important room of the house, which is the main room, a special
importance given to the decoration of the ceiling can be seen. It is of specific consideration
that mostly wood materials made from the tree grown in the same region are used. Trees
belonging to pinaceae, especially Scotch pine and larch, are the most widely used tree species
juniper and cedar. The materials made from junipers and cedars have an important use as
ceiling and flooring materials, specifically in Mediterranean region. These species are
preferred for their nice aromatic odor arising from their natural structure and repellant action
on the insects that damage the tree structure.
In the ceiling centerpiece examples in which chandeliers and cables are placed, the aesthetic
appearance is adversely affected. The use of paint coverage over the surface in some ceilings
has led to the loss of natural appearance of wood (Figure 2.b, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10).
Today, people and institutions that have high incomes try to revive traditional Turkish house
features in new buildings. Even though the idea of conservation and maintenance of
traditional Turkish house has gained popularity recently, the efforts made so far are not
sufficient to attain substantial results. This might be a result of wrong applications arising
from the shortcomings in economic concerns, materials, selection of experienced and
competent technical personnel during restoration studies.
In conclusion, it is expected to get better results in terms of the conservation and maintenance
of traditional houses inherited to us and passage of this heritage to next generations by the
cooperative and conscious works of the universities with relevant departments, local and
central managers, host individuals and institutions and technical personnel.
Additionally, it is possible to make perfect examples of new wooden ceilings and ceiling
decorations without spoiling cultural characteristics and wasting labor and material by the use
of CNC machines and similar technologies.
Aras et al. (2015). “Traditional Turkish houses ceilings”
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference
Research for Furniture Industry
September 2015, Turkey
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Corresponding author:
R. Aras
Gazi University, Faculty of Technical Education, Department of Furniture and Decoration,
06500 Teknikokullar, ANKARA
rahmiaras@gazi.edu.tr
© Author(s) 2015. This article is published under Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY)
license.
Aras et al. (2015). “Traditional Turkish houses ceilings”