Şavşat Houses

The traditional rural houses in Şavşat district of Artvin are original architectural examples shaped by the region’s harsh climatic conditions, social structure, and cultural values. These houses are typically constructed using timber-frame techniques and serve the patriarchal family structure in which multiple generations share the same living space.

Architectural Plan and Spatial Organization

Şavşat houses generally consist of three to four rooms. A defining feature of the floor plan is the central space, which functions more like a corridor or hallway than a room. Corridors are linear, L-shaped, or T-shaped, with rooms opening directly onto them. The main entrance to the house leads from the middle section of the ayvan (open or enclosed veranda) into the interior space. Within the house, intermediate sections known as avlu (havlu) or divanhane are also present. Rooms are equipped with built-in wall cupboards and shelf systems called “terek” to enhance functionality. Additionally, there are sleeping areas known as “yataklık,” which are recessed into the walls.

Şavşat Kaymakamlığı Şavşat Evi (T.C. Şavşat District Governorship)

Materials and Construction Techniques

1. Primary Structural Materials

• Wood: The main structural material of the houses. Typically sourced from local forests, ladin, pine, and fir trees are preferred. Trees with straight, branch-free trunks are selected.
• Stone: Used for foundations and some walls to enhance durability. Stones are generally laid using rubble masonry and supported above by a timber frame.
• Earth and Clay: Used in some houses for insulation of timber structures and to fill gaps.

2. Woodworking and Craftsmanship

The quality of woodworking in these houses is of great importance. Traditional craftsmen once created intricate carvings on eaves and decorative elements. However, due to the decline in the number of skilled artisans and the interruption in the transmission of technical knowledge, eaves and decorations have become simpler and less detailed. Eaves serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, enriching the exterior appearance while regulating light and airflow into the interior space.

Eaves in a Georgian House (Architecture Magazine)

3. Roof System

• Roofs are gabled with a slope of 20–30 percent.
• The roofing material is bedevra (hartama), made from thin, long wooden shingles layered over one another. This material is highly waterproof and was widely used until the 1980s; today it is found in only a few houses.
• Eaves are extended to cover the ayvan, preventing rain and snowmelt from damaging the house walls.
• Wooden gutters are installed beneath the roof to channel rainwater and protect the foundation.

Windows, Doors, and Shutters

• Windows are generally small. On the exterior, two-leaf wooden shutters known as “akoşka” are installed.
• Akoşkas protect windows during cold and snowy weather or when the house is left unoccupied for extended periods.
• After the shutters are closed, an L-shaped curved iron strip centered on the window is inserted into a corresponding iron ring on the opposite side, locking the window in place—a mechanism known as “zirzalanır.” This provides both security and protection against adverse weather conditions.

Tea and View from the Balcony of a Şavşat House (T.C. Şavşat District Governorship)

Interior Organization and Furnishings

• Rooms feature wide, low seating platforms called sedir. These platforms encourage people to sit close to the ground.
• Walls are covered with kilims and cecims, examples of local handicrafts.
• On top of the sedir, wool-stuffed kilim cushions, sheepskins, and mattresses are placed.
• Built-in “terek” shelves and “yataklık” sleeping recesses are integrated into the walls to maximize space efficiency.
• The guest room is a dedicated space rarely used by the household. It contains a bed, table, stove, and kilims for visitors.

Social and Cultural Context

• The traditional patriarchal family structure has been decisive in shaping the planning and evolution of these houses.
• The first houses built are called “birlik ev.” As families grow, either new houses are constructed or additional rooms are added to existing ones. Some extensions are built by dismantling and relocating parts of older houses.
• This architectural form reflects the family’s social structure and extended family culture.

Bagen Architecture (Architectural Journal, Lang, D. M. 1962, A Modern History of Soviet Georgia, Grove Press, New York)

Examples and Application Areas

• Şavşat Timber-Frame Houses: A field study conducted by Istanbul University in 2019 revealed the unique architectural plans of timber-frame houses in Şavşat. The relationships between corridors and rooms, as well as usage patterns, were examined in detail.
• In Doğan Kuban’s work Türk Hayatlı Evi (1995), the psychological and cultural aspects of Turkish domestic life, including seating culture and interior arrangements, are described in depth.
• Abdullah Köse’s study Balıkesir Çevresinde Geleneksel Kırsal Avlu Peyzajı (2007) sheds light on the landscape and environmental arrangements of rural houses.

The traditional rural houses of Şavşat are unique living spaces where woodworking craftsmanship, the region’s natural resources, and social structure converge. Through climate-adapted planning, functional interior arrangements, use of natural materials, and rich cultural elements, these houses constitute vital components of the region’s cultural heritage. However, due to modernization and the decline of skilled artisans, original craftsmanship and intricate details are increasingly at risk of being lost.