EVler

Evler is the Turkish word for houses or homes, encompassing a range of dwellings from rural single-family houses to urban apartment blocks. The term denotes a private living space and the place where daily life takes place, family routines are carried out, and social life is organized.

In rural areas, traditional house types include taş ev (stone houses), ahşap ev (wooden houses), and kerpiç ev (mudbrick houses). These structures often reflect local building materials, climate, and terrain, and may be organized around courtyards. In urban settings, konut and apartmanlar (apartment buildings) are common, especially in larger cities, where multi-storey housing dominates new developments and refurbishments.

Architecture and design traditions characteristic of evler include features such as courtyards (avlu) for light and ventilation, thick walls for insulation, and rooms arranged for family life and hosting guests. Large, status-oriented houses such as konaklar (city mansions) and yalılar (waterfront villas) illustrate historical variations in wealth and social function.

Regional variation in Turkey influences house styles. Black Sea houses may utilize timber framing and steep roofs, Aegean towns feature whitewashed exteriors, and cave dwellings appear in parts of Cappadocia. In harsher climates, houses emphasize insulation, while in warmer regions orientation and shading manage heat.

Contemporary Turkey shows a mix of traditional and modern forms. Urban renewal and housing policies affect the composition of evler, with ongoing shifts between owner-occupied homes and rental units, and between historic districts and new apartment complexes. The concept of ev is central to everyday life, property rights, and housing culture in Turkish society.