7 July 2007 / 16 Saratan 1386
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After walking around the neighborhood near my hotel I walked down to the waterfront and then back up through the old walls to the backside of the Hagia Sofiya. There is a beautiful Ottoman pavilion there, and then I realized that the wall behind the Hagia Sofiya has a massive gate in it, which was open. This was the gate to the Topkapi Palace.
I am posting these pictures for my Afghan students to think about two things. First, these are fabulous examples of architecture. Secondly, the relationship of buildings, porches, paved couryards, green lawns, and trees may provide good examples for campus planning. Both Kabul University and Kabul Polytechnic will require more buildings, more development in the future. The buildings right now are far apart, with no relationship to each other. As these campuses get developed with buildings close together, it is worth thinking about how old and new buildings will relate to each other. The Topkapi provides good examples.
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| Notice how the arches and braces make the porch columns like trees. The tree just beyond the porch emphasizes this relationship. | |
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