Atelier

12/30/2025

Gümüşler Monastery
One of the largest and best-preserved monasteries in Turkiye is part of a long rock-hewn complex. The Medieval rock-carved structure is situated in the town of Gümüşler in the province of Niğde in the central Cappadocia region.
Entered from the southeast, the subterranean monastery is organized around a square courtyard, the main source of natural light and ventilation for the complex. The most important space in the structure is the square chapel, located in the north corner and entered through a vaulted narthex, with four columns and an apse. The walls of the chapel are adorned with exquisite paintings, dated to the eleventh and twelfth centuries, depicting scenes from the New Testament.
Two large chambers, one vaulted, are situated on the northeast side of the courtyard. A labyrinth of narrow passages runs along the southwest side of the courtyard, giving access to the lower level of the complex.
Depicted on the walls of a small room above the narthex of the chapel is a rare composition of hunting scenes and various animals.

11/02/2025

Elaiussa Sebaste
Perhaps the most prominent architectural feature of the Roman site is the Theater, which dates from the second century CE. This structure, which consists of 23 rows of seats, accommodated 2,300 spectators.
The Agora (marketplace) probably also dates from the second century CE. On its southern side, it was partially built over an opulent residential building whose floors, decorated with geometrically arranged tiles and, more significantly, with marine-themed mosaics, are still visible today.
On the north side of the Agora, a Christian basilica was added during the fifth century CE, consisting of a narthex, nave and side aisles. This structure was adorned with floor tiles that compose various geometric patterns.
Abandoned during the seventh century CE, the complex collapsed following a violent earthquake during the thirteenth century CE.

10/23/2025

Alahan Monastery:
Located at an altitude of 4,000 ft., the monastery is a fifth to sixth century architectural complex, located in the hills of Mersin province in southern Turkey. Although it is called a “monastery”, many recent scholars consider it to have been designed as a pilgrimage shrine. The complex, consisting of two basilicas and a baptistery, together with rock carved tombs, was built on a terraced platform with finely dressed stone. Incorporating the use of twin arched windows, Corinthian columns and elaborately carved Christian symbolic reliefs, the complex played a significant role in the development of Byzantine architecture.

YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/qbTpuk5ex-A?si=LjdIpy-KV6JS-UtX

08/01/2023

Lecture, titled Islamic Art & Architecture, at George Memorial Library in Richmond, TX as part of Library Lecture Series at three public libraries.

09/23/2018

Incredible Mosque.

06/27/2016

"A central motif for the conceptual design of the cemetery was the interfaith idea of the 'first garden.'"

06/27/2016

06/21/2016

Iraq issues postage stamps honoring famed architects Zaha Hadid, Mohamed Makiya

06/10/2016

06/10/2016

Worth checking out: LEED Earth Project Pioneers: Tanzania’s first LEED building a torchbearer for change on www.usgbc.org

05/16/2016