VIRTUAL ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

Adaptive reuse is not only a sustainable practice but also a cultural act that projects the values of its time while preserving traces of the past. This paper argues that adaptive interventions in existing structures can convey the evolving identity of a society, especially when successive alterations remain legible, as described by Fred Scott in On Altering Architecture. Framing the building as a narrative palimpsest foregrounds not only its cultural past but also its potential contribution to the urban future: what story will this place tell on one hundred years? The cyclical nature of building adaptation is therefore posed as a design challenge to balance preservation with current and future use by maintaining the history of place while ensuring continued relevance through new interventions. Focusing on reversibility and open building strategies in the adaptation of historic structures, the paper questions how circular design approaches can support the collective memory of built forms. Through case studies such as SESC Pompeia by Lina Bo Bardi and MVRDV’s intervention in Tripolis Park by Aldo van Eyck, the research analyzes how specific tactics sustain cultural heritage while providing a robust framework for the continued evolution of a building. As circular design approaches such as open building and design for disassembly become more prevalent, these precedents offer lessons on how architects can navigate the balance between preserving cultural memory and creating frameworks for unlimited potential futures.