Vedat Tek

Career Early work After returning home in 1897, Vedat Tek contributed with his projects to the forming of the First Turkish National Architecture movement He served awhile as the chief architect of the Engineering Corps at the Ministry of War. Later, Sultan Mehmed V appointed him chief court architect.

He also gave lectures at Sanayi-i Nefise Mekteb-i (today's Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University) and Mühendis Mekteb-i Alisi (today's Istanbul Technical University). Vedat Tek was one of the first Turkish lecturers at the Academy of Fine Arts.

Architect of the Post and Telegraph Ministry Vedat Tek became popular as an architect because of his project for the Kastamonu Governor's Office (1902). He was appointed architect for the Ministry of Post and Telegraph in 1905. His main assignment was the Istanbul Main Post Office, his largest achievement in his architectural career.

Chief architect of the Ottoman Palaces

Vedat Tek became the chief architect of the palaces after Sultan Abdul Hamid II left the throne in 1909 and was succeeded by Mehmed V. As such, he restored about 20 palaces. But when Mehmed VI became sultan, he was dismissed.

Republic era After the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, Vedat Tek was called to Ankara. He built the second building for the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the Gazi Pavilion there. While he was preparing plans for Ankara Palas, however, the project was taken out of his hands and given to Mimar Kemaleddin.

Personal life Vedat Tek was married to Firdevs Hanım. From this marriage, they had three daughters.

Vedat Tek died in 1942 and was laid to rest at the Edirnekapı Martyr's Cemetery in Istanbul.

Projects and buildings

Second Turkish parliament building (Republic Museum today), Ankara. An example of the First National Architecture Movement.

He was the architect of various beautiful buildings in Istanbul; some of his notable projects and buildings including: İzmit Clock Tower, İzmit (1901) Kastamonu Governor's Office, Kastamonu (1901), Aviation Martyrs' Monument, Fatih (1914–1916) Haydarpaşa Ferryboat Pier, Haydarpaşa (1915–1917) Moda Ferryboat Pier, Moda, Kadıköy (1917) (used since July 1, 2001 as a restaurant), Doğancılar Public Park, Üsküdar (1920), Çankaya Gazi Mansion, Ankara (1924), Second Turkish Grand National Assembly Building, Ankara (1924). Ankara Palas, Ankara - Designed in 1924 by him as Ministry of Health building, however completed in 1928 by Mimar Kemaleddin Bey as a hotel for the members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. It is used today as an official state guest house.

The First National Architecture was characterized by the creation of entirely new designs with elements taken off the Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. The buildings all over the country designed in that style had a sweeping overhanging roof, tiled panels on the façade, large arched windows and jutting semi-circular ornaments in common.

Vedat Tek was known for his colorful and ornate style in architecture.