Assessment of Thermal Tourism Facilities (TTFS) from the Perspective of Ecological Architecture - The Case of Eastern of Turkey

ABSTRACT Thermal springs located almost everywhere in the world; face us as different architectural works in different cultures, climates, topographies and materials. It is seen that some of these works were designed with a holistic approach to the natural environment. The most important output of the ecological architecture is the designs made specifically for the site where the facility is located. Region-specific design increases the value of the work. In this study, it is aimed to add to the literature, how to apply the ecological design parameters in Thermal tourism facilities (TTFs). A field study has been done for this. No previous studies on the selected facilities have been found in the literature. Therefore, this work is a unique study. Located in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey, Kös, Golan and Bagin thermal hot springs were found to be worth examining in this study because of the natural environment-friendly life. In this context, the existing facilities in the region are examined in the light of ecological principles and solutions are suggested about what should be considered in the way of being an eco-facility. First, natural environment data that are the most important parameters of ecology are examined. Information on the spatial use and physical condition of the facilities was determined by observations, interviews made with users and facility owners, photographs, sketches and architectural surveys. The information obtained reveals the ecological successes and failures of these plants. Thus, a guideline was created for the new facilities of the future. In this study, it is aimed that eco-identity of the regions with thermal source will be evaluated as an escape alternative from the city.