Waterproofing in Architectural Structures

The updated new edition of the book "Waterproofing in Architectural Structures," prepared by Çiğdem Tekin, Cüneyt Diri, and Jozef Bonfil, which explains every stage of a waterproofing application to ensure a structure's resistance to water and its effects throughout its lifespan, has been published in collaboration with BTM Bitümlü Tecrit Maddeleri San. ve Tic. A.Ş. and YEM Yayın.

The book attempts to explain, as far as possible, what needs to be done in what order, what principles to follow, and what methods to use throughout the process from pre-application inspections, data collection, system and material selection, preparatory work, to the beginning and end of the application.

“The common characteristic of architectural designs based on the physical environment worldwide is their reliance on environmental influences and natural data. This approach can enable structures to be resistant to the rain or sun, heat or cold of their region, and allow their users to live comfortably.
Design based on the physical environment also expresses a distinct architectural identity for each region. While the resulting outcome provides ease of distinguishing each region based on its climate, details in buildings undertake important roles. For example, in Black Sea architecture, long eaves on buildings divert rain away from body walls, while in Central Anatolian adobe architecture, the use of stone up to the foundation level prevents the capillary rise of ground water.
Being at peace with nature, making it easier to live with it, expresses a rational architectural approach. This approach, which is often associated with traditional architectural expression, is actually an approach that should be present not only in traditional but in all structures. That is, even if accepting physical environmental conditions as they are and as a starting point, and being able to create the most suitable environmental conditions for these conditions, is seen as a characteristic of traditional architecture, this fundamental approach should also be valid in the architecture of modern structures today.
Today, with contemporary materials, we have the ease of dealing with many problems that could threaten buildings from the perspective of building physics. However, unlike in the past, today's understanding of building production develops with different understandings within its own conditions, rather than conditions of nature. This has led us to forget the realities of living with nature, which have been known in man-made environmental design from the past to the present. However, nature reminds itself with natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes at unexpected moments.
In reality, every architectural design should take shape within its regional conditions and be molded based on the data arising from these conditions. For example, if these data express the conditions for creating a building in a rainy region, a waterfront mansion, or a building below the groundwater level, environmental data must be evaluated to provide a healthy and long lifespan for the structure and comfortable conditions for its users. Among these environmental data, the most critical issue, when neglected, threatening the durability of buildings and the comfort of users, is WATER…”

First published in 2016, the book qualifies as the most up-to-date work in its field, as this new edition has been prepared taking into account new technologies, methods, materials, and regulations that have developed in recent years.

WHO IS PROF. DR. ÇİĞDEM TEKİN?
She completed her undergraduate studies at Yıldız Technical University, Department of Architecture, her master's degree at Çukurova University, Department of Architecture, and her doctorate at Istanbul Technical University, Department of Architecture. Prof. Dr. Çiğdem Tekin, who has been working as a faculty member at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSÜ), Department of Architecture since 2007, has academic and professional studies on architectural building materials, ecological building materials, building materials in insulation, and the utilization of agricultural waste in composite material production.

WHO IS DR. LECTURER A. CÜNEYT DİRİ?
He graduated from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University (MSGSÜ), Department of Architecture in 1992 and started working as a research assistant in the Building Physics and Material Science Branch of the same department in 1993. Dr. Lecturer Cüneyt Diri, who completed his master's degree in 1996 and his doctorate in 2002 in the MSGSÜ Institute of Science, Building Physics and Materials Program, continues to work as a faculty member in the Building Physics and Material Science Branch of MSGSÜ, Department of Architecture.

WHO IS CIVIL ENGINEER JOZEF BONFİL?
Jozef Bonfil, who graduated from Yıldız Technical University, Department of Civil Engineering in 1974, started his professional life in 1977 as Waterproofing Site Manager at Cam Elyaf San. A.Ş. In 1986, he simultaneously held the positions of Domestic Sales Manager and Technical Manager for Water and Thermal Insulation Materials at BTM Bitümlü Tecrit Maddeleri San. ve Tic. A.Ş. In 1990, Jozef Bonfil took over as International Sales and Marketing Manager at BTM A.Ş., and worked as a Technical Consultant at BTM A.Ş. from 2004-2021. Since 2022, he has been working as a Consultant at Vesline Kimya A.Ş.
Between 1994 and 2021, he represented BTM A.Ş. and BİTÜDER as a Board Member and Technical Committee Member in international associations such as BWA (Bituminous Waterproofing Assoc.), EBSO (Europa Bitumen Shingles Org.), and EWA (European Waterproofing Assoc.). Jozef Bonfil, who continues his duties in İZODER technical commissions, serves as the Chairman of the TC254 Waterproofing Membranes Commission and Vice Chairman of the TC128 Roofing Materials and TC88 Thermal Insulation Materials Commissions, established by TSE for its representation within CEN.