Examination of the failures and determination of intervention methods for historical Ottoman traditional timber houses in the Cumalıkızık Village, Bursa–Turkey

• Cumalıkızık traditional timber structures had been built with a holistic design understanding.
• Faulty repairs by the building owners and new add-ons created significant hazards to the timber structures.
• Timber beams formed in the stone walls has an important function in the compensation for the tensile stresses.
• Adobe-filled timber structural system resist the earthquake forces in harmony.
• The timber joint details solved with the most appropriate methods.

The Bursa Cumalıkızık village played a very important role in the Ottoman Empire establishment period. Although the buildings have endured certain changes over the course of time due to changing conditions, it is one of the rare settlements that has managed to maintain its authentic architectural characteristics through today. Given the structural system design applied, characteristics of the materials used in the buildings, construction systems, planning and facade characteristics, the timber houses in the Cumalıkızık Village were constructed using holistic design considerations. This paper discusses this topic within the framework of the Venice as well as Burra charters and considers the essential theoretical protection texts from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites).A rational design method examines why the timber structural system facilitated the longevity of these structures (through today) without significant damage. Characteristics of the building materials, structural system, connection details, failures and deteriorations were examined in the sample structures, and intervention methods were determined. This study aimed to provide architects and engineers with useful suggestions on the best preservation methods for similar structures and for maintaining such structures for the future.