Istanbul entrepreneur returns home to revive Türkiye’s adobe legacy in Kayseri

Aydan Ozkan, a 56-year-old businesswoman from Istanbul, has returned to her roots in Kayseri’s Develi district to preserve and pass down the traditional adobe architecture of Zile village.

Ozkan is creating an “adobe trial site” using local soil to keep this unique cultural heritage alive for future generations.

After first visiting Zile at 29, Ozkan began restoring her parents’ old home in the village.

Tired of the stifling heat in concrete buildings, she discovered the benefits of adobe construction through her research.

Frequent visits to her ancestral land inspired her to take action to preserve the adobe culture of the region.

Creating adobe trial site

In collaboration with university academics and skilled adobe craftsmen, Ozkan has initiated the construction of an adobe trial site.

This project aims to both preserve the village’s architecture and educate others about the significance of adobe homes.

The site, spanning approximately 3,000 square meters, will host symposiums and various art workshops.

The construction of the first adobe house on the site is already nearing completion.

Preserving over 100 adobe homes

Zile village is home to over 100 adobe houses, some in good condition and others in need of repair.

Ozkan emphasized the importance of protecting these structures, stating: “Our goal is to preserve these homes. We now know how to repair old houses, add extensions, and assist with plastering. The residents must take ownership of their homes.”

Hosting international conferences

As part of the project, the site will host the technical tour of the 11th International Adobe Conference, organized by Nuh Naci Yazgan University from Sept. 12-14.

The site will also feature a contemporary adobe structure built under the guidance of UNESCO Türkiye Scientific Member Professor Bilge Isik.

Raising awareness through festivals

Ozkan plans to establish an annual Adobe festival and meetings to raise awareness about this traditional construction method. She highlighted the environmental benefits of adobe, noting that these buildings naturally return to the earth without producing waste.

“There’s no concrete, no cement,” she explained.

Ozkan’s long-term goal is to have Zile included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, ensuring the preservation of adobe culture for generations to come.

Sustainable construction methods

Survey Engineer Murat Yildirim, involved in the project, mentioned that they are building a 110-square-meter adobe house on the 3,000-square-meter site using traditional methods.

All materials, including soil, stone, clay, straw and plant fibers, were sourced locally. This sustainable approach underscores the importance of maintaining traditional building techniques in modern times.