When you start a house in Turkey, one of the first terms you'll hear is avan proje: the preliminary design. It is the first set of measured drawings that shows the house fits the zoning rules.
What it includes
- Site plan, showing where the house sits and its setbacks
- All floor plans
- Sections and elevations
- Area calculations: footprint, floor area ratio and total construction area
Preliminary design vs. construction drawings
The preliminary design shows what the house is; construction drawings show how it will be built. Changes are cheap at the preliminary stage and expensive later, so this is where design decisions should mature.
Does it need approval?
Not always. For a single house, separate approval is often not required, but the zoning plan notes, a conservation area or the municipality's own regulations can require it. The zoning certificate (imar durumu) for your plot will tell you.
Frequently asked questions
Is approval of the preliminary design mandatory?
Not always. It depends on the zoning plan notes, whether the plot is in a conservation area and the municipality's regulations.
