Turkey, a nation straddling continents and centuries, is home to a remarkable tapestry of architectural heritage. From the monumental Byzantine churches to the beautiful Ottoman mosques to the innovative Roman theaters it boasts, its architectural landmarks have witnessed a long history of empires and cultures. However, as urbanization intensifies and modern-day demands increase, many of its structures are at high risk of being phased out or falling into disrepair.
Here comes adaptive reuse: a creative strategy that aims at preserving the historical buildings and giving them a new use, making them suitable for the present needs and keeping the cultural value intact. In Turkey, adaptive reuse is not only a design strategy; it is a bond between the present and the future, a way of preserving the architectural wealth of the country and at the same time addressing the demands of the modern world.
Historical Context of Turkey’s Architectural Heritage
Due to its geographical location at the meeting point of the European and Asian continents, Turkey has been a cradle to many civilizations and religions for ages. Many of its cities were strategic and vital locations along the Silk Route. As a result, the architectural fabric of Turkey is a wealth of Byzantine, Ottoman, Roman, and Seljuk influences. However, urbanization and modernization have resulted in the dilapidation or demolition of many of Turkey’s historical structures, and it is getting increasingly difficult to accommodate both conservation and development as cities grow.
The Objectives of Adaptive Reuse
As tourism grows in Turkey, adaptive reuse offers a middle ground by allowing historical structures to serve modern purposes without losing their essence while keeping history alive. Retrofitting historical monuments for new functions is a sustainable, cultural, and economic strategy of its kind.
Sustainability: Repurposing historical buildings instead of building new ones helps in reducing waste from construction activities and the need for new materials. It also helps in the preservation of the embedded energy of the structures. Adaptive reuse is more sustainable than demolition and new construction, keeping the carbon footprint low.
Cultural Preservation: The buildings that were once used for important functions in a society are a way of showcasing the society’s culture and history. Through adaptive reuse, existing structures are preserved while being given a new function, which makes them more useful and relevant.
Economic Revitalization: The restored historical sites and monuments, be it ancient ruins or old castles, tend to attract tourists, create income, and improve the economy of the area in which they are located. In addition, they can be used as cultural and art centers that would promote people’s involvement and self-identity with the community’s history.
Case Studies
Hagia Sophia is considered one of the most famous buildings situated in Turkey. The structure in its initial stage was a Byzantine Church, later transformed into an Ottoman Mosque and again transformed into a museum. The building has been a museum under the management of the state for more than eight decades and was again consecrated as a mosque in the year 2020. Each transformation has sparked debates and controversy about its cultural significance and the balance between preservation and functionality. It demonstrates how historical buildings reflect the nation’s political and artistic ambitions and the complexities of adaptive reuse in a politically and culturally sensitive context.
Another worthy mention is the modern art museum – Salt Galata. It is important to note that the present-day arts and cultural center was initially constructed as an Ottoman Bank building. The present facade of the building is in the original neo-classical style while the interior has been altered to suit modern purposes like galleries, a library, and a restaurant. Salt Galata’s success can be attributed to the museum’s uniqueness as it tries to merge the past with the present to form a museum that is befit for the present age.
The offices of the advertising company Medina Turgul DDB are a good example of the transformation of historical buildings by the private sector for specific needs. The structure, which was constructed as a Salt Repository in 1843 and has been used as a customs house, storage facility, and offices, has now been converted to accommodate five related specialist companies with centralized back-room functions. In order to maintain the original thick masonry stone walls and arched doors and windows, new mezzanine floors have been added to increase the workspace. New construction has been implemented in a way that it would not intrude on the historic skeleton. The outcome is an office building that is perfect for a creative business.
The Anatolian Civilizations Museum in Ankara’s historical business district is an excellent example of how historic buildings can be transformed into contemporary uses for education and cultural preservation. The museum occupies two important structures, a bedesten, or a covered market, and a han, or an inn. The museum has received international acclaim, underscoring the success of thoughtful adaptive reuse.
In Cappadocia, Turkey, the entire neighborhood of Kayakapı has been transformed into a ‘holiday village’ through the adaptive reuse of individual vernacular houses. Among the natural rocks and rock-cut houses of Cappadocia, neglected stone houses and caves have been converted into luxurious boutique hotels, restaurants, and cafes. The transformation of Kayakapı shows that it is possible to incorporate traditional architecture with contemporary hotels to develop a sustainable and community-oriented regeneration.
Adaptive reuse aims to create value by reusing existing buildings and keeping historical buildings alive. It goes beyond mere preservation by honoring the past and meeting the present and future needs. In a country like Turkey, where history is deeply embedded into the fabric of everyday life, adaptive reuse offers a path to sustainable development that respects cultural heritage. By addressing challenges through the use of innovation, collaboration, and policy endorsement, Turkey is emerging as an example to the world of how historical structures should be preserved and given new life. In a world standing at the crossroads between historic preservation and sustainability, adaptive reuse of historical structures emerges as a win-win solution to create spaces that bridge the gap between history and modernity, ensuring our rich heritage endures for generations to come.
References:
Aykaç, P. and Güçhan, N.Ş. (2011). Evaluating Adaptive Re-use of Historic Buildings as Museums through the Selected Cases from Ankara, Turkey. [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284044908_Evaluating_Adaptive_Re-use_of_Historic_Buildings_as_Museums_through_the_Selected_Cases_from_Ankara_Turkey.
Gülşen Dişli (2020). New Functions to Old Buildings in Anatolia With Museum Cases From City of Ankara: Before, After, and… ResearchGate, [online] pp.21–50. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346463207_New_Functions_to_Old_Buildings_in_Anatolia_With_Museum_Cases_From_City_of_Ankara_Before_After_and_Beyond_Adaptive_Reuse [Accessed 31 Dec. 2024].
Jamaleddine, Z. (2020). Hagia Sophia Past and Future. Places Journal, (2020). doi:https://doi.org/10.22269/200811.
Urban Design lab. (2021). Adaptive Reuse: Istanbul Salt Repository | Urban Design Lab 2024. [online] Available at: https://urbandesignlab.in/adaptive-reuse-istanbul-salt-repository/?srsltid=AfmBOorm35-mVwupNPiyZilBSfraTCp5VU0Qmb6rqvVO8SRqAfxLSoa0 [Accessed 31 Dec. 2024].
