Documenting Kirman Ceiling Ornamentation in Traditional Bayburt Houses: The Case of Akbulut House

Abstract

Located between the Black Sea and Eastern Anatolia regions of Türkiye, Bayburt possesses a distinctive rural architectural heritage shaped by its historical and cultural setting. A significant part of this heritage survives in traditional houses that remain largely unregistered and insufficiently protected. Among their notable features are locally defined spatial elements and Kirman ceiling ornamentations, which represent an important expression of vernacular craftsmanship. This study aims to document the construction principles, decorative characteristics, and heritage value of Kirman ceilings through on-site survey and architectural recording. By focusing on a rapidly disappearing component of rural domestic architecture, the research contributes to the identification and preservation of Bayburt’s local building culture. It argues that systematic documentation is essential for developing holistic conservation strategies and ensuring the transmission of this cultural legacy to future generations.