Mardin Artuklu University Faculty of Architecture is established in 2011 as a higher education institution in the city of Mardin at the Southeast of Turkey. The school is housed in a late 19th- century administrative building in the old city center of Mardin, which was renovated by the faculty members. Even at the beginning of its short history, Faculty of Architecture was intended to focus on a social sciences oriented program and socially engaged design practices. Contrary to the almost generalized attitudes of the architectural schools of extra-metropolitan Turkish universities, which are based mainly on technical practices, Mardin Artuklu has a dual curriculum. It provides a program consisting of architectural design and history and theory of architecture on equal terms. This gives the student a wider spectrum of study and means of self- improvement, instead of being limited with the immediate needs of the region. Mardin town is near Syrian border and spatially in a conflict zone. Furthermore, the town is geographically situated among Neolithic and Ancient sites that foster the academic research interests on the history and contemporary practices of dwelling and materials. Since 2013, the faculty is surrounded by refugee camps due to the outcome of Syrian civil war. These socio- political realities have direct effects on the architectural pedagogy that we are forming.

There is Architecture in Mardin. However, we do not mean the local stone artisanship, neither the traditional architecture nor the topological appeal of the built environment. We do not talk about what exists in Mardin, but rather, we utter what we aim for. We address architecture as we seek possible contexts and frameworks, which fall beyond Mardin, in order to be able to think and practice. We do not intend to perceive the world through the lens of a small town or to hold on to its ground; but we do search for establishing the commitment and the determination for an autonomy from the place and ground, which come with their inevitable limitations. We do not embed ourselves into the place and its socialization that is indisputably associated with its spatial conditions. Instead, we are aware of this place and through this awareness we seek describing alternative dynamics. In short, we look from Mardin and we intend to widen our own horizon.

“Mardin government office building that had built at late Ottoman period in 19th century, has continued the authentic function until 1996. The building has fallen into disuse after the relocation of governorship to Yenişehir district. The building was allocated to the architecture faculty, which is the first department of Mardin Artuklu University established in 2007. Turkey Textile Industry Employers’ Union funded the restoration implementations as charity. The restoration of building, which started in January 2010, was completed in November 2011. Conservation projects
of the monument have been revised continuously during restoration process, because of the emergence of new parts and different requirements. Restoration of the monument, which was built in countryside of Turkey Mardin with the rural architecture style, is important in terms of modern restoration techniques blended with traditional materials and construction” Murat Caglayan, faculty memeber, architect, PhD Candidate (ITU, Architecture Faculty, Restoration Dept., Istanbul).