ARCHITECT KEMALEDDIN: A LIFE AT ONE OF HISTORY'S TURNING POINTS (1870-1927) |
1915 Dar-ul Ulum Medina
It was thought of as a foundation for higher religious education. In 1915, the construction of the Hejaz Railway whose last stop was Medina commenced. However, it was only possible to complete one floor of the school. After the war, its content was completely changed and it was transformed into a single storey building.
Kemaleddin Bey’s project was designed on a scale and standard to house a real institution of higher education. The architect prepared an axial plan design consisting of a string of classrooms and halls opening onto corridors surrounding two large inner courtyards. The halls on the axes of symmetry constitute the mass standing prone of the facade and are elevated for emphasis. The entrance is organised as a portico with three openings accessed by steps crowned by a decorative balcony parapet.