Abstract
Designing a new building in a historical environment, which is a reflection of the social, cultural, economic and technological lifestyles from the past to the present, is a process that requires considering many design inputs together, making decisions as a result of serious analysis and multidisciplinary studies. In this sense, choosing the competition method in obtaining a new building that adds value to the historical environment makes the process open to different analyses, interpretations and criticisms. In the evaluation of new building designs in the historic environment, analysing in the light of international conservation documents rather than subjective judgments gives more realistic results. In addition to this, it paves the way for designs that integrate with and add value to the historical environment without harming it, for new buildings to be built in the future. In this sense, this study aims to evaluate the İstiklal Yapı Kredi Culture and Art Centre building, which was designed by Teğet Architecture in a competition project opened in 2010, and after winning the first prize, was constructed on Istiklal Street, Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, meeting the criteria of new construction in the historical environment created in line with international conservation documents and grouped under the following headings: (i) environment, (ii) design, (iii) new addition/building, and (iv) function. Regarding the environmental criteria, it was observed that the building attaches importance to the value of the district in which it is located and contributes to the cultural activities in the environment with its function. Regarding the design criteria, it was seen that the building is in the same dimensions as the design of architect Paul Schmitthenner, with both its volume and gauge, it respects the spirit of the place where it is located and strives to be a part of this whole, but the interventions are not recyclable since it does not contain any remains of the old building. Regarding the new addition/building criteria, it has been observed that the building reflects the time in which it is located with its contemporary design, as well as referring to the previous building. Regarding the function criteria, it has been observed that while the old building was used for cultural functions in addition to the bank function, the function of the new building is completely based on cultural activities and this function is suitable for contemporary life; it provides protection against the risk of İstiklal Street, whose cultural identity is damaged today, turning into a depressed area. According to the results of the evaluation, the Yapı Kredi Culture and Art Centre, which is characterised as the reconstruction of Paul Schmitthenner’s 1958 design, has enriched the historical environment with its design philosophy, function, façade, mass effect and use of materials, as well as exhibiting a respectful approach to the context in which it is located.