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OSEP SARAFIAN PRESENTS LEGACY OF ARMENIAN ARCHITECTURE
By: Betty Apigian-Kessel
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/11/07/osep-sarafian-presents-legacy-of-armenian-architecture/
Mon, Nov 7 2011
The Detroit Armenian community responded in magnificent fashion to
the invitation to an Oct. 21 lecture by well-known area architect
(jardarabed) Osep Sarafian on "The Legacy of Armenian Architecture
in the Ottoman Empire."
Osep Sarafian The evening was co-hosted by the Armenian Engineers
and Scientists of America, Michigan Section, the Cultural Society
of Armenians from Istanbul (CSAI), and the Tekeyan Cultural
Association. It was held in the library of the Southfield, Mich. Alex
and Marie Manoogian AGBU School.
Osep Sarafian has been a fixture in the Detroit area since his arrival
here from Bolis (Istanbul) in 1980. Together with wife Dr. Nadya
Sarafian, a retired principal of the AGBU Day School, the Sarafians
are one of this area's premiere couples. They've generously shared
their immense intellectual talent for the enrichment of this community,
reaching beyond the boundaries of Michigan.
Over 125 people gave rapt attention to the speaker, anxiously
wanting to know about these Armenian architects who transformed the
Ottoman landscape with their amazing buildings. Sarafian unfolded the
no-longer-secret details of the men who shared the same Armenian blood
as those in the audience, bringing prestige to the word "Armenian"
through their art of architecture.
Sarafian was introduced by a fellow member in the Engineers and
Scientists group, George Mouradian, who referred to him as a modest,
energetic gentleman who began his career in Istanbul operating his
own firm there for 23 years. "Sarafian has won numerous awards for his
professional endeavors, which have been published in many professional
books and magazines. He says he is retired but don't believe it,"
Mouradian said.
Sarafian, 79, was born to Armenian parents in Istanbul. He graduated
from the Technical University of Istanbul with a master's in
architecture and engineering in 1956. He then received a scholarship
from University of Pennsylvania to study in the U.S., graduating with
a second master's in city planning.
Upon returning to Istanbul, he opened his own private architectural
office, which he ran for 22 years. He designed hospitals, schools,
university campuses, sports facilities, stadiums, governmental
buildings, and commercial and tourist facilities in Turkey.
In 1980, he immigrated with his family to Michigan and Sarafian was
offered a job at the renowned Minoru Yamasaki Association architectural
firm, where he worked as a vice-president until retirement in 1994.
It was on a trip to Istanbul on his way to Armenia in spring 2010 that
Sarafian was pleasantly surprised to find an extraordinary first-ever
exhibition in Turkey, on the works of Armenian architects during the
Westernization period of the Ottoman Empire.
The same exhibit was displayed at three different galleries in
Istanbul, later traveling to Ankara, and due to popular demand was then
transported to Yerevan, where it was welcomed with great enthusiasm.
What a wonderful tool for building friendly relations between the
Turkish and Armenian peoples, giving recognition to Armenians who
built magnificent structures.
Sarafian recalled how during the 1970's Para Tuglaci had published
a book on the life and works of the renowned and well-respected
Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, and had revealed with documents and
verifications that Sinan was the son of an Armenian family from
Kesaria, taken from his family when he was a young boy and raised as
a Turk.
An art historian by the name of Suheyi could not bear to think of
Sinan as an Armenian and took Tuglaciyan to court for making "false
Armenian propaganda," but he lost his case.
The word "Armenian" often became a derogatory adjective and creative
people were never given credit for their accomplishments, so often
their names were changed. The shooting of Hrant Dink caused an
awakening in Istanbul in the Armenian youth, who are now researching
their past and courageously writing about it. Some intellectual Turkish
writers now admit that "Without Armenians the Ottoman culture would
have been rather plain."
Turkish architect Hasan Kuruyazici decided to publish a book
highlighting the input of Armenian architects during the Westernization
period of the Ottoman Empire, corresponding to the 18th and 19th
centuries. The books created a sensational surprise because it showed
all the beautiful architecture designed and built mostly by Armenians,
a reality no one could deny.
With Kuruyazici, the curator/architect, and with the sponsorship
of Hrant Dink Foundation and Haycar Association (the association of
Armenian architects and engineers), the pictures from the books have
been made into large panels and are traveling from city to city. They
are making public all the Armenian architects whose names were not
revealed before.
This exhibition was the topic of Sarafian's talk. He expressed his
gratitude to Nazaret Binatli and to Hasan Kuruyazici, who did not
hesitate to give him a copy of the pictures he had taken.
Sarafian introduced 40 Armenian architects to the Southfield audience,
and showed a slide presentation of their best-known works included
in the exhibition.
The photos took our breath away with their symmetry and beauty.
Exterior and interior views were offered leaving us amazed at the
talent of the architects, who in the beginning had no formal school
to attend to learn their craft.
The Balians were certainly among the most prominent among these
architects, according to research conducted by Kevork Pamukciyan.
Their genealogy starts somewhere back in the late 1700's. Nine
architects carried this family name. They continued a productive
professional life for almost a century.
They were involved in the design and construction of numerous
large-scale buildings. Apart from a few Armenian churches, the entirety
of the Balian designs belong to palace and state institutions.
Architect Afife Batfur writes in her book An Influential Name in the
19th-Century Ottoman Architecture: The Balians: "The architectural
style and practices of the Balians provide important clues to
comprehending the content and program of Westernization in the
Ottoman Empire."
The Balians operated as a private architectural office, although they
were not given the title of chief architect. They were called kalfas,
or chief builders. They had learned their skills through practice
since no formal schools of training were available at the time.
They were community leaders presiding over the Istanbul Armenian
community, reaching the peak of their power in the early part of the
20th century. They engaged in rebuilding churches and monasteries,
supporting preachers and printing books and establishing schools,
thus revitalizing the Armenian community.
Garabed Balian was the architect of Dolmabahce Palace. Some of Krikor
Kalfa's important works include the Imperial Mint, the Valide Sultan
Palace, the St. Mary Church in Kumkapi, and the Taksim Artillery
Barracks.
Garabed Balian sent his sons Nigoghos, Hagop, and Sarkis to Paris for
formal professional studies. Bafur writes: "The architectural style of
Sarkis Bey and his brothers displays a rich background of knowledge
and unique interpretations in a spectrum extending from a classical
concept to the diversity of the eclectic approach. These architects'
designed buildings should be considered touchstones in the study of
late Ottoman architecture."
It is important to note that the Balians incorporated thousands of
Armenian workers in the construction of their designs, even bringing
men from outside villages to work. Factories were built where Armenians
manufactured furniture and fabric for the structures. All in all
they ran a remarkable, well-organized machine incorporating design,
construction, and fine furnishings. Predominately Hye all the way.
Since his retirement, Osep Sarafian has devoted all his time to
speed up the recovery of Armenia. He has made 40 trips there for that
purpose, focusing his efforts on raising funds for specific projects
through the World Bank. So far he has raised $660,000 enabling projects
in 83 villages.
His related mission is to assist architects in Armenia to improve
the quality of their new construction by using international codes
and standards, especially since, as readers well know, Armenia is
located in an earthquake-prone location.
Sarafian is a member of the International Union of Architects. He is
n Honor Member of the AGBU and a member of the Liturgical Arts and
Architecture Commission of the Eastern Diocese. He also has membership
in a number of non-profit and charitable organizations. He serves on
the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Academy of Sciences, as well as
on the Board of Directors of AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School, St.
John Armenian Church in Southfield, Armenian Apostolic Society,
Armenian Assembly of America, Friends of Yerevan State University,
Board of Trustees of the Armenian Academy of Sciences, Cultural
Society of Armenians from Istanbul, and of the Armenian Engineers
and Scientists of America.
Sarafian is devoted to extending a helping hand to the rebirth of
Armenia. Sharing the excitement, the joy, and the happiness of the
local people gives him a fulfillment that helps him to stay young,
healthy, and happy. What a remarkable human being.
It was an impressive group of slides attributed to these Armenian
architects. A visit to Istanbul would surely be a worthwhile investment
to tour these magnificent structures attributed to the talent and
vision of Armenian architects.
The Sarafians are the parents of three, and the grandparents of six.
From: Baghdasarian
By: Betty Apigian-Kessel
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/11/07/osep-sarafian-presents-legacy-of-armenian-architecture/
Mon, Nov 7 2011
The Detroit Armenian community responded in magnificent fashion to
the invitation to an Oct. 21 lecture by well-known area architect
(jardarabed) Osep Sarafian on "The Legacy of Armenian Architecture
in the Ottoman Empire."
Osep Sarafian The evening was co-hosted by the Armenian Engineers
and Scientists of America, Michigan Section, the Cultural Society
of Armenians from Istanbul (CSAI), and the Tekeyan Cultural
Association. It was held in the library of the Southfield, Mich. Alex
and Marie Manoogian AGBU School.
Osep Sarafian has been a fixture in the Detroit area since his arrival
here from Bolis (Istanbul) in 1980. Together with wife Dr. Nadya
Sarafian, a retired principal of the AGBU Day School, the Sarafians
are one of this area's premiere couples. They've generously shared
their immense intellectual talent for the enrichment of this community,
reaching beyond the boundaries of Michigan.
Over 125 people gave rapt attention to the speaker, anxiously
wanting to know about these Armenian architects who transformed the
Ottoman landscape with their amazing buildings. Sarafian unfolded the
no-longer-secret details of the men who shared the same Armenian blood
as those in the audience, bringing prestige to the word "Armenian"
through their art of architecture.
Sarafian was introduced by a fellow member in the Engineers and
Scientists group, George Mouradian, who referred to him as a modest,
energetic gentleman who began his career in Istanbul operating his
own firm there for 23 years. "Sarafian has won numerous awards for his
professional endeavors, which have been published in many professional
books and magazines. He says he is retired but don't believe it,"
Mouradian said.
Sarafian, 79, was born to Armenian parents in Istanbul. He graduated
from the Technical University of Istanbul with a master's in
architecture and engineering in 1956. He then received a scholarship
from University of Pennsylvania to study in the U.S., graduating with
a second master's in city planning.
Upon returning to Istanbul, he opened his own private architectural
office, which he ran for 22 years. He designed hospitals, schools,
university campuses, sports facilities, stadiums, governmental
buildings, and commercial and tourist facilities in Turkey.
In 1980, he immigrated with his family to Michigan and Sarafian was
offered a job at the renowned Minoru Yamasaki Association architectural
firm, where he worked as a vice-president until retirement in 1994.
It was on a trip to Istanbul on his way to Armenia in spring 2010 that
Sarafian was pleasantly surprised to find an extraordinary first-ever
exhibition in Turkey, on the works of Armenian architects during the
Westernization period of the Ottoman Empire.
The same exhibit was displayed at three different galleries in
Istanbul, later traveling to Ankara, and due to popular demand was then
transported to Yerevan, where it was welcomed with great enthusiasm.
What a wonderful tool for building friendly relations between the
Turkish and Armenian peoples, giving recognition to Armenians who
built magnificent structures.
Sarafian recalled how during the 1970's Para Tuglaci had published
a book on the life and works of the renowned and well-respected
Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, and had revealed with documents and
verifications that Sinan was the son of an Armenian family from
Kesaria, taken from his family when he was a young boy and raised as
a Turk.
An art historian by the name of Suheyi could not bear to think of
Sinan as an Armenian and took Tuglaciyan to court for making "false
Armenian propaganda," but he lost his case.
The word "Armenian" often became a derogatory adjective and creative
people were never given credit for their accomplishments, so often
their names were changed. The shooting of Hrant Dink caused an
awakening in Istanbul in the Armenian youth, who are now researching
their past and courageously writing about it. Some intellectual Turkish
writers now admit that "Without Armenians the Ottoman culture would
have been rather plain."
Turkish architect Hasan Kuruyazici decided to publish a book
highlighting the input of Armenian architects during the Westernization
period of the Ottoman Empire, corresponding to the 18th and 19th
centuries. The books created a sensational surprise because it showed
all the beautiful architecture designed and built mostly by Armenians,
a reality no one could deny.
With Kuruyazici, the curator/architect, and with the sponsorship
of Hrant Dink Foundation and Haycar Association (the association of
Armenian architects and engineers), the pictures from the books have
been made into large panels and are traveling from city to city. They
are making public all the Armenian architects whose names were not
revealed before.
This exhibition was the topic of Sarafian's talk. He expressed his
gratitude to Nazaret Binatli and to Hasan Kuruyazici, who did not
hesitate to give him a copy of the pictures he had taken.
Sarafian introduced 40 Armenian architects to the Southfield audience,
and showed a slide presentation of their best-known works included
in the exhibition.
The photos took our breath away with their symmetry and beauty.
Exterior and interior views were offered leaving us amazed at the
talent of the architects, who in the beginning had no formal school
to attend to learn their craft.
The Balians were certainly among the most prominent among these
architects, according to research conducted by Kevork Pamukciyan.
Their genealogy starts somewhere back in the late 1700's. Nine
architects carried this family name. They continued a productive
professional life for almost a century.
They were involved in the design and construction of numerous
large-scale buildings. Apart from a few Armenian churches, the entirety
of the Balian designs belong to palace and state institutions.
Architect Afife Batfur writes in her book An Influential Name in the
19th-Century Ottoman Architecture: The Balians: "The architectural
style and practices of the Balians provide important clues to
comprehending the content and program of Westernization in the
Ottoman Empire."
The Balians operated as a private architectural office, although they
were not given the title of chief architect. They were called kalfas,
or chief builders. They had learned their skills through practice
since no formal schools of training were available at the time.
They were community leaders presiding over the Istanbul Armenian
community, reaching the peak of their power in the early part of the
20th century. They engaged in rebuilding churches and monasteries,
supporting preachers and printing books and establishing schools,
thus revitalizing the Armenian community.
Garabed Balian was the architect of Dolmabahce Palace. Some of Krikor
Kalfa's important works include the Imperial Mint, the Valide Sultan
Palace, the St. Mary Church in Kumkapi, and the Taksim Artillery
Barracks.
Garabed Balian sent his sons Nigoghos, Hagop, and Sarkis to Paris for
formal professional studies. Bafur writes: "The architectural style of
Sarkis Bey and his brothers displays a rich background of knowledge
and unique interpretations in a spectrum extending from a classical
concept to the diversity of the eclectic approach. These architects'
designed buildings should be considered touchstones in the study of
late Ottoman architecture."
It is important to note that the Balians incorporated thousands of
Armenian workers in the construction of their designs, even bringing
men from outside villages to work. Factories were built where Armenians
manufactured furniture and fabric for the structures. All in all
they ran a remarkable, well-organized machine incorporating design,
construction, and fine furnishings. Predominately Hye all the way.
Since his retirement, Osep Sarafian has devoted all his time to
speed up the recovery of Armenia. He has made 40 trips there for that
purpose, focusing his efforts on raising funds for specific projects
through the World Bank. So far he has raised $660,000 enabling projects
in 83 villages.
His related mission is to assist architects in Armenia to improve
the quality of their new construction by using international codes
and standards, especially since, as readers well know, Armenia is
located in an earthquake-prone location.
Sarafian is a member of the International Union of Architects. He is
n Honor Member of the AGBU and a member of the Liturgical Arts and
Architecture Commission of the Eastern Diocese. He also has membership
in a number of non-profit and charitable organizations. He serves on
the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Academy of Sciences, as well as
on the Board of Directors of AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School, St.
John Armenian Church in Southfield, Armenian Apostolic Society,
Armenian Assembly of America, Friends of Yerevan State University,
Board of Trustees of the Armenian Academy of Sciences, Cultural
Society of Armenians from Istanbul, and of the Armenian Engineers
and Scientists of America.
Sarafian is devoted to extending a helping hand to the rebirth of
Armenia. Sharing the excitement, the joy, and the happiness of the
local people gives him a fulfillment that helps him to stay young,
healthy, and happy. What a remarkable human being.
It was an impressive group of slides attributed to these Armenian
architects. A visit to Istanbul would surely be a worthwhile investment
to tour these magnificent structures attributed to the talent and
vision of Armenian architects.
The Sarafians are the parents of three, and the grandparents of six.
From: Baghdasarian