IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

This academic initiative explores the intersection of heritage, cultural memory, and urban futures through the adaptive reuse of the Ayakapı Hamam—an Ottoman-era bathhouse in Istanbul attributed to Mimar Sinan. Located in the historic Cibali neighborhood, the site was used as a focal point for rethinking how architecture can engage with historic places beyond conservation, proposing culturally and environmentally responsive futures. The project investigates the layered urban fabric of Istanbul, the typology of Islamic baths, and contemporary sustainability imperatives. Through multidisciplinary research and speculative design, students reimagined the hamam as an inclusive and ecologically responsible civic space. Their proposals integrate vernacular traditions with advanced technologies, including AI-driven environmental analysis and digital design tools, to explore net-zero and climate-adaptive solutions. Emphasizing material reuse, public space activation, and contextual sensitivity, the work views heritage as both a tangible and intangible resource—an evolving foundation for sustainable design. The resulting paper presents models, drawings, and interactive media that reflect a dialogue between past and future. This project frames heritage not as static preservation, but as a dynamic and participatory process that can shape resilient urban identities. Situated in Istanbul—a city where cultural pasts and contemporary innovation visibly converge—this work offers a compelling case study in holistic, place-based design thinking. A city’s future is rooted in its past; heritage, culture, and place are deeply interconnected across time. Teaching adaptive reuse in architecture schools is crucial for preparing future practitioners for the complex task of transforming historical environments into resilient, inclusive, and sustainable urban futures.