Dual Context of Istanbul
Mesters ThesisLocation:
Istanbul, TurkeyInvolvement:
2013-2014
Position:
AuthorInstitution:
TU Delft
More..
The city of Istanbul is facing radical transformation processes on everyday basis. The hypothesis of Dual Context is based on apparent dichotomy in between the formal conduct of the governing institutions of the city and the informal one of the communities inhabiting it. Each of which drawing its motivation from its own socio-historical background; imported profit induced western one and traditional Islamic one respectively. This insight led to development of proposal for a site in the heart of the city where local community was facing forced gentrification imposed by local municipality. To balance this process, the proposition is trying to act as a mediator between both involved parties. And that by introduction of programme driven intervention. This then should not only heighten the overall quality of the location, opening it to the new visitors, but also maintain and enhance the strong manufacturing legacy of the existing community.
The new volume is enveloping historical monuments of from 14th century, and preserving its inherent Islamic interior quality while creating new inviting public façade. The addition features the new programs of Manufacturing Workshops/Incubators and Arts&Crafts School, while the historical buildings are used mainly as showrooms for the craftsmen from the workshops. Creating connection between production and trade, being so important in existing commerce setting, was paramount and is reflected by creating direct access from workshops to the showrooms and vice versa, for both craftsmen as well as visitors.
The complete theoretical research paper on Dual Context of Istanbul can be found here.