Mimar Vedat Tek is one of the founding figures of the First National Architectural Movement, a pivotal turning point in architectural history who emerged during the final years of the Ottoman Empire and played a significant role in the early years of the Republic of Türkiye. He successfully synthesized European classical architecture with traditional Ottoman styles, both in his education and professional practice, assuming a pioneering role in the modernization of Turkish architectural identity. He is also recognized as a thinker and urban planner who contributed to urban aesthetics.

Buildings bearing his signature in cities ranging from Istanbul to Ankara and from Kastamonu to İzmit constitute important examples that shape the architectural memory of the era. Growing up in a family deeply immersed in the arts deepened his understanding of architecture and enabled him to develop an original style that united visual aesthetics with functionality.

Childhood of Vedat Tek (Ahmet Sezgin)

Life

Vedat Tek was born in Istanbul in 1873. His father, Giritli Sırrı Paşa, was an Ottoman vizier and literary figure, while his mother, Leyla Saz Hanım, was the daughter of İsmail Paşa, a physician in the court of Abdülmecid, and a writer and musician.

Due to his father’s official duties, Vedat Tek spent his childhood in various regions including Trabzon, Diyarbakır, and Crete. He later returned to Istanbul and studied for two years at Galatasaray High School (Mekteb-i Sultani), but at the age of sixteen, he left without completing his education to travel to Paris. In Paris, he completed his secondary education at Ecole Monge, then studied painting and sculpture at Académie Julian and engineering at École Centrale. Despite his father’s opposition, he decided to pursue architecture. He was among the nine students who passed the competitive entrance examination of the prestigious École Nationale des Beaux-Arts, where he received his architectural training. During this period, he worked in the atelier of Professor Moyaux and won an “Honorary Prize” in the Prix de Rome competition.

In 1899, Vedat Tek returned to Istanbul and opened his own architectural office, beginning his professional career. That same year, he was appointed as a professor of Art History at the Sanayi-i Nefise Mektebi and as an architect in the Istanbul City Council’s Technical Committee. In this role, he undertook the design of numerous public buildings that shaped Istanbul’s urban identity. Projects such as the Mannheim Synagogue, designed by him in Germany but never constructed, also demonstrate his international architectural ambitions.

Vedat Tek was known for his cheerful and intelligent personality. He was passionate about architecture, creative in his drawings, and respectful and instructive in his relationships with workers and apprentices. His interest in art remained consistent from childhood. Tek died in Istanbul on 9 May 1942 and was buried at Edirnekapı Martyrs’ Cemetery.

Works

Vedat Tek is one of the founders of the First National Architectural Movement. This architectural approach was developed as an alternative to Western-influenced trends by integrating Ottoman and Seljuk elements with modern construction techniques. Tek defined his architectural philosophy as “modern Turkish architecture” and embraced a principle of restrained ornamentation, favoring simple yet valuable materials. In his view, comfort was an essential element in architecture that could never be neglected.

In his works, Tek frequently incorporated ceramic tile decorations. In the early 20th century, he helped revive Turkish ceramic art by using Kütahya tiles on the facades of his buildings. Collaborating with important ceramic masters such as Hafız Mehmed Emin Efendi, he infused traditional artistic elements with contemporary interpretations.

Public Buildings

1. Defter-i Hakani Building, Sultanahmet, Istanbul. Today used as the Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre. Completed in 1908.
2. Grand Post Office Building, Sirkeci, Istanbul. Considered Vedat Tek’s most important work. Completed in 1909. Entirely executed in a Revivalist style. Attention to detail is remarkable. It is said that the bricks were specially designed by him.
3. Dolmabahçe Palace Extensions, Istanbul. Additions made while he was chief architect to Sultan Mehmed Reşat. The heating chimney is prominent.
4. Haydarpaşa Ferry Terminal, Haydarpaşa, Istanbul. Original design and implementation were by Vedat Bey. Later modified and expanded multiple times.
5. Moda Ferry Terminal, Moda, Istanbul.
6. Deniz Yolları Acentası, Karaköy, Istanbul. Demolished during the urban planning of Karaköy.
7. Deniz Hamamları, Karaköy, Istanbul. Previously located where the Karaköy quay now stands.
8. Halk Fırkası Mahfeli Building, Ankara. Originally built as the CHP Central Headquarters, it was adapted into the structure of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye in 1924 by M. Vedat. Numerous later additions were made, none of which were designed by Vedat Bey. The entrance portal is one such addition. Today used as the CENTO headquarters.
9. Kastamonu Government House, Kastamonu. Designed by Vedat Bey, but construction was carried out outside his supervision.
10. Hungarian Consulate, Nişantaşı, Istanbul.
11. Arms Museum, Istanbul. Designed by Vedat Bey, but never constructed.
12. Hippodrome and Other Structures, Veliefendi, Istanbul. Commissioned by Enver Paşa, the project could not be implemented due to the First World War.

Residential Buildings

1. Yayla Apartment, Nişantaşı, Istanbul. Built for Yunus Nadi Bey, owner of Cumhuriyet Newspaper, on Valikonağı Street.
2. Şadiye Sultan Apartment, Nişantaşı, Istanbul. Located opposite Yayla Apartment; demolished during road widening.
3. Güneş Apartment, Maçka, Istanbul.
4. Halit Bey Apartment, Çemberlitaş, Istanbul. Exhibits efforts to conform to the modernist movement alongside Güneş Apartment. In the 1934-completed Halit Bey Apartment, corner windows, horizontal and vertical plasterwork, and deep, wide joints are prominent.
5. Cemil Topuzlu Köşkü, Çiftehavuzlar, Istanbul. Built for Şehremini Cemil Topuzlu Paşa. Today used as Büyük Kulüp.
6. Enver Paşa Köşkü, Kuruçeşme, Istanbul.
7. Leylâ Hanım Villa, Bostancı, Istanbul. Built for his mother Leylâ Hanım. Destroyed by fire along with many of the poet and composer’s other works.
8. Gazi Köşkü, Çankaya, Ankara. The building now serves as Gazi Museum. Vedat Tek designed and implemented its restoration and numerous additions.
9. Mimar Vedat House, Nişantaşı, Istanbul. Built on a corner plot on Vali Konağı Street. Reflects the architect’s skill in adapting to an angular urban parcel. Used as his own residence.
10. Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil Villa, Yeşilköy, Istanbul.
11. Mr. Varber Villa, Suadiye, Istanbul. Completed in 1932. Demonstrates Vedat Bey’s persistent use of “selective” and “neo-classical” elements.
12. Halit Bey Yalısı, Yeniköy, Istanbul.

Commercial Buildings

1. Mesadet Hanı, Sirkeci, Istanbul.
2. Liman Hanı, Sirkeci, Istanbul.
3. Sabit Bey İşhanı, Karaköy, Istanbul.
4. Milli Emlâk Dükkanları, Beşiktaş, Istanbul.
5. Kâzım Emin Tütün Deposu, Bursa. Halit Bey Yalısı, Yeniköy/Istanbul.
6. Nemlizade Tütün Deposu, Üsküdar, Istanbul.
7. Çiftlik Binası, Topkapı, Istanbul.

Monumental Structures

1. İzmit Clock Tower, İzmit. Designed by Vedat Bey; construction carried out by others with some modifications.
2. Tayyare Şehitleri Anıtı, Fatih, Istanbul.

Selected Examples of Works

Kastamonu Government House

Kastamonu Government House (Republic of Türkiye Kastamonu Governorship)

Grand Post Office (Posta ve Telgraf Nezareti)

Video on the Ministry of Posts and Telegraphs (TRT Avaz)

Haydarpaşa Ferry Terminal

Haydarpaşa Ferry Pier (Flickr, Mustafa Uluç)

Moda Ferry Terminal

Moda Pier (İBB Heritage)

Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (Defter-i Hakani Nezareti)

Hubyar Mescidi

Hubyar Mosque (Encyclopedia of Islam)

Ankara Palas

Ankara Palas (AA)

İzmit Clock Tower

Izmir Clock Tower (AA)

Cemil Topuzlu Köşkü

Cemil Topuz Köşkü (İbrahim Akgün)