Traditional house construction

In the remote mountainous areas south and west of Lake Van most village houses are still traditional and constructed of stone and wood. These houses  are relatively cheap, made of natural, environmentally friendly and locally available materials and provide more comfort (warmth in winter, coolness in summer) than concrete structures.

Because of  easier access to the outside world, and the availability of modern construction materials, recently concrete houses are gaining more popularity. There are however still masons around who know how to build a traditional house, using simple techniques and tools.

Photos taken in 2008.