Journal of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture of Gazi University 37:3 (2022) 1655-1672 Spatial change in vernacular house: Büyükkonuk Village (Kom-i Kebir), Northern Cyprus case Leyla Çınar Algül 1 , Türkan Ulusu Uraz 2 , Özlem Olgaç Türker 1 * 1 Eastern Mediterranean University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Interior Architecture, 99628, Famagusta, North Cyprus, via Mersin 10 Turkey 2 Eastern Mediterranean University, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, 99628, Famagusta, North Cyprus, via Mersin 10 Turkey Highlights: Graphical/Tabular Abstract  Cyprus rural-vernacular housing types  Rural-vernacular housing types  Adaptation and change in rural-vernacular housing Rural vernacular residential architecture, while reflecting the socio-cultural and socio-economic structure of the period in which the houses and other buildings were built, also reflects the settlement texture and architectural form of that period. Rural-vernacular architecture can be summarized as continuity in a common built environmental culture, socially produced, adopted and passed on to the next generations. In addition, it is known that rural-vernacular houses are in constant change and thus maintain their continuity. The changes inherent in the tradition of rural-vernacular houses, can be classified as constant / slow changes emerged in the long term, or rapid / sudden changes occurred in the short term (Rapoport, 2005). Figure A: Three basic housing typologies of rural-vernacular Cyprus House Purpose: The study aims to identify the spatial changes in three basic rural-vernacular Cypriot housing typologies (Figure A) with their space connection types, and to discuss their spatial differences by comparing the changed versions with the original ones. Within the scope of the study, Büyükkonuk Village (Kom-i Kebir) has been chosen for the field research, as it has sustained the authentic characteristics of the rural- vernacular architecture of Cyprus. These houses are undergoing noticeable changes in terms of spatiality and functionality, based on changing living conditions and user profiles. Originally built by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, today they are settled by Turkish Cypriots and Turks who emigrated from Turkey. Theory and Methods: Space syntax was carried out in building scale for comparing original and changed versions of 10 houses representing three types of basic rural-vernacular house types, by a comprehensive configurative analysis. In order to apply equations of the method, the space organizations were illustrated through justified graphs. Additionally, integration values, basic differentiation factors, depth maps and spatial connection types of both original and changed versions have been provided. Results: Initially, the change in the degree of privacy is examined through grading from the most integrated space to the most segregated. Secondly, the most homogeneous and loose structures have been selected according to basic differentiation factor averages. Thirdly, the changes in the connection types of closed, semi-open or open authentic spaces have been examined; and new emerging spaces with new connection types are determined. As a result of the findings, changes in the original spatial organization supported by the changes in the types of space connections, are dissociated according to different types of rural-vernacular houses. Out of the three types, it can be said that the ‘units with outer hall’ is the most resistant type to change. Conclusion: The similarity of how two different cultures express themselves in a spatial order in rural-vernacular dwellings, or the cultural and social features they add to the spaces due to rapid modernization, shows that the changes in housing were not influenced by cultural differences, but user needs arising from other factors as climate, comfort and security were more effective. Keywords:  Cyprus  Rural housing  Adaptation  Space organization  Space Syntax Article Info: Research Article Received: 26.08.2020 Accepted: 24.10.2021 DOI: 10.17341/gazimmfd.785812 Correspondence: Author: Özlem Olgaç Türker e-mail: ozlem.olgac@emu.edu.tr phone: +90 392 630 1139