TURKISH GARDEN AT ROYAL FLORA RATCKAPHRUEK*2006 in Chiang Mai:

A Turkish garden was designed at 2000 m2 surface area for ROYAL FLORA RATCHAPHRUEK'2006. Space organization style and design concept in Turkish House Patio of Turkish Garden gave the inspiration for it, and some traditional structural elements and their functions which were took place in old Turkish Architecture and garden was peculiarly interpreted.

The project area is placed in three different elevation levels between the entrance and exit doors, and at the first step of it, a Turkish House Patio was located at 370 m2 area. At the second step of the project area a terrace garden was placed that is visually connected with whole garden surface and still and moving water bodies. Finally, at the third step of the project area a small botanical garden as a small representative collection of mainly native plant species of Turkey is placed.

A Turkish foundation, & marble basin, a wooden pergola and a bronze sculpture as terminal element are located over a linear axis at the fiat step of the patio. The sculpture located at the end of the axis is called as "SCULPTURE OF LOVE". The design concept and philosophy of that sculpture were explained by the sculptor as follows:

"No doubt, the placement of "SCULPTURE OF LOVE" is expressive well-directed concept considering the theme of exposition that will be held on a country where Buddhism is embraced, which is "To Express Love for Humanity". The circle body behind of the sculpture symbolizes the rising sun and the God. The love composition built up by the man and woman figure in front of the circle body together with the symbol of the God illustrates the theme of the exposition in the Turkish Garden. Also, the sayings of the two Turkish thinkers and poets, Mevlana and Yunus Emre were inscribed over the facets of lower walls at the both sides of the mentioned composition to strengthen the message of sculpture theme."

In addition to all above, three panels of Iznik tiles which are of importance in the Turkish decorative arts were located at the entrance of the garden and patio. The panels were prepared by the Iznik Tiles Foundation.

Some striking elements such as the Historic Izmir Caique, Sundial and Birdhouse took places in the Garden.

Significant species of the Turkish flora mainly as well as local and foreign species widely used in the gardens and parks were selected for the plants related design of the Turkish Garden.

A composition of three olive trees (estimated at around the age of 150-200) that symbolize peace in mythology were placed at garden entrance to represent the exposition's theme of "To Express Love for Humanity" too. A part of the Turkish Garden in 600 m2 area was reserved as multi functional lawn.

TURKISH    GARDEN    DESIGN    PRINCIPLES    AND    DESIGN MATERIALS

Turkish Garden before western cultural influences is described with its simplicity in order, functionality and integrity with daily life. There is no explicit axis between the building and the garden that makes up the symmetry. The outdoor spaces for sitting and eating as well as small buildings were the integral part of the main building. Terraced gardens were used to create the relation between the landscape form and the garden in inclined topography, and each of the terraces was made use of with different functions.  The most important characteristics of the Turkish Garden was that the landscape elements of garden were not positioned according to a design concept based on symmetry. However, linear elements and architectural structures in geometric forms circumstantially take place in Turkish Garden.