Modern Architecture of the Second Half of the XX Century in Local Contexts: Comparative Analysis of Housing Estates in Izmir, Turkey and Tychy, Poland

Abstract

The modernist architecture of the twentieth century, often referred to as the International Style, exhibited diverse forms and urban layouts shaped by local cultural, economic, and political factors. To comprehensively understand the architectural heritage of this era, it is essential to consider both universal and local principles. This paper explores the adaptation of modernism within a local context by analysing the urban layouts of housing estates in Izmir (Turkey) and Tychy (Poland), constructed during the latter half of the twentieth century. The aim is to enhance our understanding of the architectural heritage of this modernist period through a comparative analysis. The selection of these examples is based on their shared formal similarities, despite the vastly different contexts in which they were built. While the circumstances surrounding the two cases were starkly dissimilar, the scale of the buildings and the spatial arrangements exhibit similarities. This study employs a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative methods such as observation and case study alongside quantitative methods such as research and surveys. The comparative analysis presented in this paper illuminates the local idiosyncrasies of architecture while unveiling the complexity of the modernist architectural legacy and the intricate developmental processes that culminated in ostensibly similar spatial outcomes. This proposed comparative analysis aims to address existing gaps in the literature on modern housing and contribute to broader discussions within an international context. It intends to promote knowledge, raise awareness, and contribute to the sustainable discourse of modern architecture.