Evaluation of the Surface of Diyarbakir Grand Mosque Façade in the Semantic and Syntactic Dimensions

 

ABSTRACT As a communication tool, architecture plays an important role in conveying the emotions, ideas, beliefs and culture of a society, as well as in transferring these values from one generation to another. The Diyarbakır Grand Mosque (DGM) has always been a centre for belief since it was built. This study aims to analyse, understand and redefine architectural discourses by interpreting the exterior surface of the DGM. In addition to this, The DGM, carries both concrete and abstract meanings. In this context, this study investigates how these meanings have been conveyed to the next generations through the semiotic signs. Based on this perspective and a semiotic approach, the yard and street façade of the east wing of the Diyarbakır Grand Mosque was semantically and syntactically analysed as a cultural indicator. The syntactic analysis was performed using the Gestalt and basic design principles, while the semantic analysis was performed through denotation and connotation. Semantic and syntactic evaluation revealed the influences of various religious beliefs on the social and cultural life of the Diyarbakır. This study has also shown that the semantic and syntactic evaluations of the DGM is important for creating a common language and ensuring the continuity of such studies. The semantic and syntactic evaluation of the DGM has been firstly conducted through this study