Reading Denizli Central Bank as a Mediterranean Artifact by Cengiz Bektaş

Cengiz Bektaş, a prominent modern architect who practiced in Turkey, regarded architecture as a form of cultural production rather than as an autonomous artistic practice; in line with this conception, his architectural practice is connected to his identities as a writer and poet. Besides, his identity that he defined according to the culture and geography he was born, live and conduct his profession, which is being Anatolian and thus Mediterranean, provides him the ground upon which he produced culturally driven works encompassing architecture. Bektaş embraced both modern architecture and an architectural approach specific to the geography and the region. However, this article does not consider Bektaş merely as an architect with regionalist or vernacular concerns; rather it evaluates him as a modern architect, whose association with the Mediterranean constitutes a culturally unique embodiment of modernity and who draws inspiration from the local context. This article, using a qualitative methodology, examines Bektaş’s architectural philosophy, which is rooted in Mediterranean cultural heritage, through an analysis of the Denizli Central Bank building, which was designed in alignment with the architectural and cultural legacy shaped by the geography and traditions of Anatolia and the Mediterranean. In line with the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey’s goal to contribute to the development of urban culture through the remarkable designs of its branch buildings located in the city centers, the Denizli branch building reflects a modern and Mediterranean identity, taking into account the climatic and cultural context. Keywords: The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey Denizli Branch, Cengiz Bektaş, Modern architecture, Mediterranean architecture, Locality.