Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
VEREDAS, cilt.23, sa.8, ss.1-18, 2026 (Scopus)
STRUCTURAL LOGIC OF ULAMA TILE COMPOSITIONS IN OTTOMAN ARCHITECTURE: MODULARITY, SYMMETRY, AND REPETITIONLÓGICA ESTRUTURAL DAS COMPOSIÇÕES DE AZULEJOS ULAMA NA ARQUITETURA OTOMANA: MODULARIDADE, SIMETRIA E REPETIÇÃOArticle received on:9/1/2026Article accepted on:7/4/2026A. Sultan Karaoglu**Department of Traditional Turkish Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Kocaeli University,Kocaeli, TürkiyeOrcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6703-3980sultan.karaoglu@kocaeli.edu.trThe authors declare that there is no conflict of interestAbstractThis study investigates the structural logic underlying ulamatile compositions in architectural ceramic surfaces through the concepts of modularity, symmetry, and repetition. In the existing literature, such compositions are typically examined in terms of motif, color, and stylistic features. While these approachesprovide valuable insights, the structural principles governing compositional and production logic remain insufficiently addressed. In response, this study develops a theoretical framework that approaches tile surfaces as rule-based systems.The research draws on a combined analysis of theoretical studies on pattern–structure relationships and selected examples from architectural tile surfaces. Within this framework, tile compositions are examined as modular systems, with particular emphasis on boundary relations between tile units, repetition schemes, and surface continuity. The concepts of symmetry and antisymmetry are employed as key analytical tools in interpreting surface organization.The findings demonstrate that ulamacompositions function as modularstructures governed by specific rules. This perspective allows architectural tile surfaces to be understood not merely as decorative fields, but as systematic and analyzable organizations. The study contributes to ongoing theoretical discussions in ceramic art and offers a new framework for interpreting traditional pattern systems.