Abstract:

This article is focused on the restoration and conservation methodologies of traditional Ottoman timber civil architecture through an example being carried out in ‘Süleymaniye’, one of the world heritage sites in Istanbul. The case study includes the entire work on both scientific and architectural fields of conservation such as research, documentation, material analyses, implementation methodologies and proposals in terms of national and global criteria for the conservation of cultural heritage. Architectural project, laboratory work, conservation science and timber training workshop are involved in the study, so collaboration among various disciplines is tried to be provided. Main principles of the case study can be shortly defined as ‘authenticity’ and ‘sustainability’. These refer to ‘protecting the survived original building elements and details in situ’ and ‘developing and practising the methods for extending their lifespan with an interdisciplinary work’ synchronously. Restoration is just one of the periods of the whole conservation process, whereas post-implementation steps like re-use and further maintenance provide the real and long-term conservation of the historical, social and intangible values of the property. Therefore ‘unity’ among the whole approaches also occurs as another principle in the long term.Previous article in the first volume of this journal had included the analytical work on survey drawings, material analyses, proposals for reconstitution, restoration project and decisions about re-use. The building is decided to be functioned as a library. Either books, periodicals, dictionaries and articles on different fields related to conservation or photographs about the neighborhood’s recent history will be available. It’s aimed to develop an archive both for researchers and the habitants, children and students. Original rooms of the building with survived architectural details will be functioned as reading rooms. This article explains the restoration period of the case study. Removal of the improper additions, conservation and implementation techniques, dismantling inventory and documentation in all periods are explained in parallel with repair and production practices at timber workshop. It will be continued to share the relevant experiences about the study in further volumes

Keywords: