Muslim architecture of the turkic republics: “diplomacy of architecture” and its consequences

Abstract

A common problem in the development of the architecture of the post-Soviet and, above all, the Turkic republics is the ultimate narrowing of the scale of formal searches for Muslim architecture. One of the reasons for this was the “diplomacy of architecture” implemented by Turkey – the proposal and financing of ready-made standard projects, adapted to local conditions. The implementation of this practice is supported by the presence of standard projects, the experience and reputation of Turkish architectural ateliers, active commercial and missionary activities. The constant cloning of Turkish neo-Ottoman projects not only limits the possibilities of the architectural experiment of the contemporary mosque but also inhibits the development of national architectural education and visual self-identification.