Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing

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Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing

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  • Project Name: Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı
  • Student Name: Damla Dirik
  • Softwares/Plugins: AutoCAD , Sketchup , Adobe Illustrator , Adobe Photoshop , Adobe Indesign
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Excerpt: Transforming Urban Narratives’ is an architecture thesis by Damla Dirik from the Department of Architecture and Arts – Iuav University of Venice, that explores the preservation and reinterpretation of architectural heritage to address contemporary urban challenges, such as housing shortages, by revitalizing the historic region of Perşembe Pazarı at Istanbul. By drawing on traditional Turkish architecture and the legacy of the Galata Walls, the project seeks to reconnect the site’s past with its present and create a vibrant, sustainable future for the region.

Introduction: This project explores Perşembe Pazarı, a historic market located in Istanbul’s Karaköy district. Once a lively and diverse hub, the area has since fallen into partial disrepair, endangering its valuable architectural legacy, which includes mosques, fountains, inns, and traces of the Galata Walls. The project proposes a social housing initiative to rejuvenate the site while tackling urban issues such as housing shortages.

Through in-depth site analysis and the study of historical maps, the project pinpoints areas in need of intervention, using references to lost structures and remnants of the Galata Walls to inform the design process. The goal is to preserve the memory of these walls, which have shaped the city for centuries and hold a key place in Istanbul’s urban history. 

Additionally, the project delves into collective memory by incorporating traditional Turkish housing typologies, inspired by architect Sedad Hakkı Eldem, into contemporary designs. By blending these traditional forms with modern needs, the proposal creates housing that accommodates today’s requirements while evoking the garden-like atmosphere and layout of classic Turkish homes.

Ultimately, the project illustrates how architectural heritage can be leveraged to meet modern urban challenges, enhance the city’s fabric, and forge a renewed connection between the past and present through thoughtful design.

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Site Context

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Project Location
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Project Location
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Istanbul urban scale map, transportation networks and population, 1:20000
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
A view of Karaköy, Perşembe Pazarı and Galata from the sea (Source: From the Salt Research Archive. Rights holder: Çalıkoğlu Family)

The project is situated in Perşembe Pazarı, a historic marketplace along the Golden Horn in Istanbul, a city that has served as the center of empires such as Rome, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire. This area, once part of the old Galata district, was historically a significant hub for ports, trade, and finance due to its strategic harbor location. While maritime and industrial activities once thrived here, the area has since experienced neglect, and many of its historical functions have faded. 

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Istanbul neighborhood scale maps, 1:3000
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Istanbul neighborhood scale maps, 1:3000
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Istanbul neighborhood scale maps, 1:3000

The project proposes a revitalization plan centered on social housing, with the goal of rejuvenating the area. A key focus is extending the green corridor along the waterfront by revitalizing the existing urban park and creating a more cohesive relationship between the built environment and its surroundings. The ground floor design includes commercial units that complement the park and help preserve the area’s commercial heritage. Additionally, the masterplan incorporates a historical route to guide the project, highlighting the importance of urban memory.

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
A street with preserved examples of civil architecture and the current status of its uses. (Source: Author, March 2019)
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Golden Horn Metro Bridge and urban park. (Source: Author, April 2024)
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Collage of prominent buildings in the site. (Source: Author)

Drawing inspiration from the form of the Galata Walls, the project tackles urban challenges—particularly housing—by blending traditional Turkish housing typologies with modern design solutions. The proposal integrates historical elements with green spaces, recreating the atmosphere of traditional Turkish homes while addressing contemporary housing needs.

Design Process

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Masterplan design strategies
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Masterplan design strategies

The design process began with a thorough urban analysis, where 20th-century maps were studied to uncover the historical traces of the city’s layout. These historical elements were then integrated into the present-day context, taking into account the area’s current needs and existing landmarks. A key intervention zone was identified, and a new transportation network was devised. This analysis formed the foundation for a new masterplan that seamlessly blends both historical and modern urban elements.

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Imagery of the lost Galata Walls
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Concept diagrams (left: elevation and section, right: plan)
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
An examination on Basic Plans of The Turkish House: Concept development and diagrams

The design’s form was inspired by the Galata Walls, a significant part of Istanbul’s urban history. Using depictions from the 15th to 17th centuries and the Nomidis Map (1944), the wall gates helped shape the proposed facade concept, bridging the historical narrative with contemporary architectural design. Additionally, the design was influenced by traditional Turkish house typologies, as documented by Sedad Hakkı Eldem. These typologies were updated to suit modern requirements, highlighting individuality and community living, concepts that resonate with modern housing models like co-housing and co-living.

This design process ensured a careful balance between preserving cultural heritage and addressing contemporary urban needs.

Final Outcome

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Masterplan
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Silhouette From the Sea (Above) And Urban Section 1-1 (Below)
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Section, 1:200
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Isometric View

The project’s final outcome addresses the housing challenges in Istanbul’s Perşembe Pazarı by blending historical architectural elements with modern housing needs. It incorporates traditional Turkish housing typologies, drawing from Sedad Hakkı Eldem’s work, and combines them with contemporary concepts like co-living and co-housing. These housing solutions promote a sense of community through shared spaces while maintaining respect for individual privacy. The design strikes a balance between tradition and modernity by adapting these typologies to the demands of metropolitan life, reflecting the evolving needs of urban dwellers.

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Ground Floor Plan, 1:200
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
First Floor Plan, 1:200
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Third Floor Plan, 1:200
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Section, 1:200
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Section – Facade Collage: Co-Housing and Co-Living

Rooted in historical cartographies and the area’s architectural heritage, the masterplan integrates the legacy of the Galata Walls. The architectural form is influenced by these historical elements, with facades inspired by old city gates and historical depictions of the city. Final drawings, including plans, sections, and facades, illustrate how the spatial organization fosters communal living while honoring Istanbul’s urban history.

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Partial Section and Elevations, 1:30
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Street View

The project also emphasizes the revitalization of Perşembe Pazarı by extending green spaces along the waterfront and improving connectivity to the surrounding areas. The final renderings and physical models demonstrate how the design merges the site’s historical and cultural significance with modern living, contributing to a more unified and dynamic urban environment in Istanbul.

Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Isometric View
Transforming Urban Narratives: Integrating Historical Traces with Housing Typologies and Revitalizing Perşembe Pazarı, Istanbul | Architecture Thesis on Urban Housing
Physical Model, 1:500 (Grey Cardboard and Laser Cut)

Conclusion: This project demonstrates how the preservation and reinterpretation of architectural heritage can address contemporary urban challenges, such as housing shortages, while revitalizing historic areas like Perşembe Pazarı. By drawing on traditional Turkish architecture and the legacy of the Galata Walls, the project reconnects the site’s past with its present, creating a vibrant, sustainable future for the area.

[This Academic Project has been published with text submitted by the student]

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