Istanbul Kariye Camii Visitor Center

Istanbul Kariye Camii Visitor Center

(Background and Purpose) The purpose of this paper is to suggest the design for the visitor center for Kariye Camii in Istanbul, Turkey. The church is well known as a tourist destination because of its lavish late Byzantine style murals and mosaics. On the other hand, there are no facilities for the tourists" convenience or to promote better understanding about the church. Therefore, this study aims to promote a deeper understanding through research on the history, architectural characteristics, and site of this church and intends to suggest the design for the new visitor center. (Method) Extensive research on the history of the Kariye Camii Church has been undertaken. According to the excavation records and literature survey, it is noteworthy that the prime minister of the Byzantine Empire, Theodore Metochites, took ever the restoration and addition work and led to the design of the church as it is seen today. The attempt to maintain a historical connection with the past through mural frescos and architectural elements is remarkable. Also, the contents of the galleries at the visitor center are suggested to assist further understanding of the church. Prior to the development of the design of the visitor center, three research goals were proposed before design work. (Results) The design is based on the relationship between the land walls built during the Byzantine Empire and the Kariye Camii. The layout of the building is parallel to the street side, and it suggests an empty space along the street in the form of a viewing deck. Through this, pedestrians would be able to capture the sight and approach the church slowly visually connecting to the Kariye Camii and linking the past and the present. Geometric dimensions from the church plan and different sections are applied into the floor plan composition. Galleries and lecture halls allow visitors to appreciate the monument and promotes a deeper understanding. In addition, recessed brick walls are applied to the exterior facade originated from the existing patterns of the church. This is intended to appreciate homogeneity with the church while pointing out the contrast with existing surrounding wooden residential district. (Conclusion) Based on the extensive research on Kariye Camii, the design for a new visitor center with modern building forms and techniques is proposed. The concept is to introduce and appreciate the church through the empty space visually and spatially through the viewing deck. In addition, design elements that originate from the surrounding site, and the geometrical aspect and material found in the church have been rediscovered and reinterpreted into a modern setting. In the follow-up study, in-depth research through case studies for the combination of historical monuments and modern buildings can be considered.

(Background and Purpose) The purpose of this paper is to suggest the design for the visitor center for Kariye Camii in Istanbul, Turkey. The church is well known as a tourist destination because of its lavish late Byzantine style murals and mosaics. On the other hand, there are no facilities for the tourists" convenience or to promote better understanding about the church. Therefore, this study aims to promote a deeper understanding through research on the history, architectural characteristics, and site of this church and intends to suggest the design for the new visitor center. (Method) Extensive research on the history of the Kariye Camii Church has been undertaken. According to the excavation records and literature survey, it is noteworthy that the prime minister of the Byzantine Empire, Theodore Metochites, took ever the restoration and addition work and led to the design of the church as it is seen today. The attempt to maintain a historical connection with the past through mural frescos and architectural elements is remarkable. Also, the contents of the galleries at the visitor center are suggested to assist further understanding of the church. Prior to the development of the design of the visitor center, three research goals were proposed before design work. (Results) The design is based on the relationship between the land walls built during the Byzantine Empire and the Kariye Camii. The layout of the building is parallel to the street side, and it suggests an empty space along the street in the form of a viewing deck. Through this, pedestrians would be able to capture the sight and approach the church slowly visually connecting to the Kariye Camii and linking the past and the present. Geometric dimensions from the church plan and different sections are applied into the floor plan composition. Galleries and lecture halls allow visitors to appreciate the monument and promotes a deeper understanding. In addition, recessed brick walls are applied to the exterior facade originated from the existing patterns of the church. This is intended to appreciate homogeneity with the church while pointing out the contrast with existing surrounding wooden residential district. (Conclusion) Based on the extensive research on Kariye Camii, the design for a new visitor center with modern building forms and techniques is proposed. The concept is to introduce and appreciate the church through the empty space visually and spatially through the viewing deck. In addition, design elements that originate from the surrounding site, and the geometrical aspect and material found in the church have been rediscovered and reinterpreted into a modern setting. In the follow-up study, in-depth research through case studies for the combination of historical monuments and modern buildings can be considered.