Bali Usta (?-1803)

Bali Kalfa, known alternatively as Merametçi or Keresteci Usta (=house repairer or timber craftsman) was the first of the Balyans to be appointed as an important architect. His date of birth is unknown, although his place of birth is known to have been the village of Derevenk in the province of kayseri.  After emigrating to Istanbul in the early 18th century, Bali Kalfa was employed by the palace as a building repairer or merametçi and was later appointed imperial architect. He married Filor Hatun and had four children: Kirkor, Bedros, Senekerim and Chichilia.