Republican Period Turkish Architecture - 1950s

26.12.2019

Istanbul City Hall

It was built based on the project of architect Nevzat Erol, whic won the first place as a result of a national competition in 1953. The importance of the project is that it reflects the international style that marked the 1950s Turkish architecture. Together with the Hilton hotel, the construction of which coincided with the same years, it was one of the pioneers of the important transformation in Turkish architecture. “Rationalist-purist movement” that started in the USA after World War II spread rapidly all over the world. This is generally known as using basic geometric forms such as rectangular prism or square prism, rectangle and square in mass and plan, and generally uses steel-made, large windows. It would not be wrong to say that the design of Istanbul City Hall is similar to the style of the famous architect Oscar Niemeyer in South America. It is possible to see the revitalization of prismatic masses with curved plastic elements placed on top of them in Istanbul Municipality Hall. The structure has two main sections. The office mass is in the form of a high and rectangular prism. The mass divided into presidential and meeting volumes is also in the form of a flat rectangular prism. In the office mass, the office scheme consisting of the series of rooms with two corridor fronts was applied. The spaces reserved for employees’ dining and social activities are covered by a curved element on the terrace roof, which emphasizes the plastic effect.

Istanbul Bosphorus Hilton

Opened in 1955, Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus or Istanbul Strait Hilton, is located at Harbiye, Elmadağ. This hotel has the distinction of being the first 5 star hotel in Turkey and İstanbul. The Hilton Hotel was designed in 1952 by the well-known US architectural firm Skidmore, Owings, Merrill. This company, known as the SOM Group, worked with Sedat Hakkı Eldem as a local consultant. Hilton Hotel project, is among the buildings that exemplify the closure of the II. National Architectural Period. The Hilton Hotel is known for its 21-meter-100-meter rectangular prism form, simple geometry, simplicity on its surface, uncompromising decoration, and functional priorities. With these features, the Bosphorus Hilton, was representative of the international architectural style in Turkey. This building is situated on a hill overlooking the Bosphorus, it stands out among Turkey’s first modern structures. The building features guest rooms in an eightstorey main building above public levels. Other outdoor facilities include a rooftop bar overlooking the swimming pools, tennis courts and the open-air theater, a dance terrace and gardens.

Turkish Historical Society Building

Although the construction of the Turkish Historical Society building began in 1962, the design process goes back to 1951. Designed by Turgut Cansever and Ertur Yener, this building was opened in 1967. The Turkish Historical Society Building, which won the Aga Han Architecture Award in 1980, is one of the symbolic works of modern Turkish architecture. Turgut Cansever, the architect of the building, said: “The building was built around a central hall according to a central plan. Around the hall illuminated by hill lights, a library, conference room, scientific study, meeting, administration rooms, exhibition and resting areas were placed. With the illumination of the surrounding area of the central hall, it was tried to give the building a character that was closed to the outside, preserved and preserving the values it collected. The expression of protection given by large, deaf exterior surfaces is the development of natural stone cladding; reinforcing the same expression by raising the building from the ground; and the space under the large-body reinforced concrete consoles, which express the rise of the building from the ground, was also intended to indicate the character of the collector ”.