The end of the 19th century saw an Ottoman cultural revivalist movemement aiming at defining an architectural Ottoman style which was sparked by the publishing of Iprahim Eldem Pasha's Usul-i mimariyi osmani (Principles of Ottoman Architecture) in 1873. Ottoman architectural revivalism was very eclectic and drew upon many styles including Ottoman Baroque, modern Islamic architecture, vernacular Beaux-Arts, Neoclassicism. Aftimus' participation in the Chicago world fair was his break as an Ottoman revivalist architect.