IN-PERSON ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

The Mäusebunker in Berlin—an imposing brutalist structure and former animal testing facility—sits at the center of debates over architectural value, ethical history, and urban heritage. While many see it as dystopian and disturbing, others advocate its preservation and cultural reuse. Yet its future remains uncertain. My project “3D Mäusebunker” engages this ambiguity through digital heritage preservation. Using drone photography and photogrammetry, I created a precise 3D reconstruction of the building. This digital twin allows immersive exploration in Virtual Reality and ensures the site remains accessible even if physically lost. Beyond documentation, the project employs generative artificial intelligence to envision speculative futures for the Mäusebunker—imagining it as cultural hubs, futuristic structures, or entirely new forms. Through these digital methods, the work does not merely conserve; it reimagines what architectural heritage can be. In my presentation, I will discuss how photogrammetry, VR, and AI together offer powerful tools for preserving and critically rethinking controversial architectures. This approach highlights not only the material and aesthetic dimensions of endangered buildings, but also their complex social and political meanings, opening narratives that extend beyond traditional conservation.