The formative decades of the Turkish Republic constituted a critical phase in the shaping of a modern architectural identity, marked by a tension between universalist ideals and the reclamation of local traditions. This presentation investigates the contributions of architects such as Sedad Hakkı Eldem (1908–1988) and Nezih Eldem (1921–2005) to the discourse of architectural regionalism in mid-20th-century Turkey, situating their work within broader debates about national identity, continuity, modernity and the transformation of traditional forms.

Sedad Hakkı Eldem’s theorization of a “national architectural idiom” drew on extensive studies of Ottoman civil and vernacular architecture, particularly based on the model of the Istanbul house, and sought to establish a modern architecture rooted in historical continuity rather than stylistic imitation. His built works and academic influence at the Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul exemplify an effort to reconcile modernist design with traditional typologies and materials. Nezih Eldem, while shaped by this legacy, developed a more experimental approach that incorporated regional influences into larger-scale urban and institutional projects, reflecting the changing socio-political and material realities of postwar Turkey, and influenced by the Italian ‘neorealist’ architectural scene as well.

Drawing on archival sources, field studies, and formal analysis, the presentation explores how both architects navigated the creative tension between regional specificity and architectural modernity. Their work offers valuable insights into the interplay of tradition and innovation, as well as the early theorization of regionalism as a mode of cultural resilience in the face of global homogenization. In doing so, the presentation will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Turkish architectural creativity and identity formation in the area.