Transformation of historical and spatial identity in the process of repurposing: The case of Cendere art museum
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47818/DRArch.2025.v6i3184Keywords:
Cendere Art Museum, Cultural Sustainability, Industrial Buildings, Re-functionalisation, Spatial IdentityAbstract
The re-functionalisation of industrial buildings is important in terms of ensuring spatial continuity from the past to the present and preserving cultural heritage and bringing new uses. This study analyses the transformation process of industrial buildings from the perspective of architecture and interior architecture and examines the effects of this transformation on spatial identity through the example of Cendere Art Museum. In the research, the historical and contemporary functions of the space are analysed together with its structural, environmental and architectural dimensions; the results are evaluated in order to provide a methodological contribution to the literature. The main aim of the study is to reveal the effects of spatial transformation in the process of re-functionalisation of industrial buildings and to examine the new identity and functions that such projects bring to the space in the case of Cendere Art Museum. In addition, these analyses are aimed to contribute to the literature on architecture and interior architecture. In the research, the transformation process of Cendere Art Museum was analysed by SWOT analysis method. In this context, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the building were evaluated in the spatial context; a comprehensive analysis was carried out by associating the historical function and current intended use of the space with structural, environmental and architectural features. Through this method, the advantages and challenges encountered in the transformation process were systematically analysed and the results were interpreted in line with spatial sustainability and the contributions of the new functions to the space. The results show that the re-functionalisation of the Cendere Art Museum has given the space a new identity and that this process has set an important example in terms of cultural sustainability. It has been determined that harmony has been achieved between the environmental context, historical features and new function of the building. The re-functionalisation of industrial buildings is an important approach in terms of spatial and cultural sustainability. The example of Cendere Art Museum reveals the potential of giving new life to historical industrial buildings and the effects of methodological approaches in this process. Such projects have an important place in the literature of architecture and interior architecture.
Downloads
References
Ahunbay, Z. (2009). Historical environmental protection and restoration (5th ed.). Yem Publications.
Akadiri, P. O., & Iliopoulos, A. (2021). Economic and environmental benefits of adaptive reuse of buildings: A critical review. Journal of Building Engineering, 43, 102879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102879
Arolat, E. (n.d.). Cendere Valley master planning. Emre Arolat Architecture. (Retrieved April 25, 2025). https://emrearolat.com/project/cendere-valley-master-planning/
Artfullivingart. (2024, January 4). The transformation process of Cendere Hamidiye Water Pumping Station from its past to the present [Image]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/artfullivingart/p/C2FAanICe0b/?img_index=4
Cantizani Oliva, J., Bullejos, D., & Dorado, M. P. (2019). Natural lighting for sustainability of cultural heritage refurbishment. Sustainability, 11(18), 4842. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11184842
Cendere Art Museum. (n.d.). Information panel text [Museum archive]. Cendere Art Museum, Istanbul. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
Conejos, S., Langston, C., & Smith, J. (2013). AdaptSTAR model: A climate-friendly strategy to promote built environment sustainability. Habitat International, 37, 95_103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2011.12.003
Çınar, F. (2022). Cendere Sanat Museum. Arkitera. https://www.arkitera.com/proje/cendere-sanat-muzesi/
De Hallen Amsterdam. (n.d.). Then and now. (Retrieved April 25, 2025). https://www.dehallen-amsterdam.nl/en/history
Douglas, J. (2006). Building adaptation (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Gazi, A., & Boduroğlu, E. (2015). Effects of functional change on historical houses: The example of Alsancak Levantine Houses. Megaron, 10(1), 57-69. https://doi.org/10.5505/MEGARON.2015.86570
Google Earth. (2024). Location of the Cendere Art Museum on planet Earth [Photography by Airbus]. https://maps.app.goo.gl/4r4qTyEhQKtLgNzPA
Güngör, G., & Gökçen, Ş. (2022). Re-functioning of industrial heritage sites: Opportunities, challenges and considerations specific to Izmir new city center. Journal of Eksen, 3(2), 58-71. https://doi.org/10.58317/eksen.1172898
Herzog & de Meuron. (n.d.). The Tate Modern project. (Retrieved April 25, 2025). https://www.herzogdemeuron.com/projects/263-the-tate-modern-project/
Höhmann, R. (1992). Denkmale der Industrie-Museen der Industrie? In Museum und Denkmalpflege: Bericht über ein Internationales Symposium (pp. 55_61). ICOM/ICOMOS https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111629179.56/html
Independent. (n.d.). After the Golden Horn Shipyard, another historical site is becoming an art museum. https://www.indyturk.com/node/492761/hali%C3%A7-tersanesinden-sonra-bir-tarihi-alan-daha-sanat-m%C3%BCzesi-oluyor
Istanbul Modern. (n.d.). History. (Retrieved April 25, 2025). https://www.istanbulmodern.org/kurumsal/tarihce
Kadeli, K., Eni, S. P., & Marpaung, C. O. P. (2025). Smart building application in revitalization of historic buildings: Case study: The Museum Bahari, Jakarta. Jurnal Indonesia Sosial Sains, 6(2), 300-314. https://doi.org/10.59141/jiss.v6i2.1606
Kağıthane Municipality. (n.d.). Kağıthane Cendere Water Pumping Station. https://www.kagithane.istanbul/kagithane_hakkinda/tarih_detail/Kagithane-Cendere-Su-Terfi-Istasyonu/123/147/0
mimdap. (n.d.). Historical pumping station is being transformed into the Istanbul Water Civilizations Museum. https://mimdap.org/haberler/tarihi-pompa-istasyonu-ystanbul-su-medeniyetleri-muzesine-donuthuyor/
Norberg-Schulz, C. (1980). Genius loci: Towards a phenomenology of architecture. Rizzoli.
Polat, M. (2022). Taken from IBB archive and quoted from the video shared by Mahir Polat. Arti Gercek. https://artigercek.com/kultur-sanat/ibb-120-yillik-mirasi-cendere-sanata-donusturdu-227826h
Relph, E. (1976). Place and placelessness. Pion.
Rena Construction. (2006). Cendere Hamidiye Pump Station repair works. https://www.renainsaat.com/projelerimiz/cendere-hamidiye-su-pompa-istasyonu
Saner, T. (2012). Industrial heritage and conservation criteria. Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Publications.
Shipley, R., Utz, S., & Parsons, M. (2006). Does adaptive reuse pay? A study of the business of building renovation in Ontario, Canada. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 12(6), 505-520. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527250600940181
Soini, K., & Birkeland, I. (2014). Exploring the scientific discourse on cultural sustainability. Geoforum, 51, 213-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2013.12.001
TAY Project. (n.d.). News archive 2014/8. http://tayproject.org/haberarsiv20148.html
TKGM. (2024). Cendere Art Museum location and parcel enquiry [Ortofoto]. https://parselsorgu.tkgm.gov.tr/#ara/cografi/41.10861194688/28.9891542449353
Tunçer, İ. B., & Ateş Can, S. (2022). Re-functioning of industrial heritage: Adaptation of three different tobacco factories. Journal of Architecture and Life, 7(1), 333-357. https://doi.org/10.26835/my.1073617
Turanlı, A., & Satıcı, B. (2021). Refunctioning of historical buildings: Hayriye Hanım’s house example. Journal of Technology and Applied Sciences, 4(1), 73_95. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/icujtas/issue/60416/881950
Turkey Design Council. (2024). An example of sustainability: Repurposing. https://turkiyetasarimvakfi.org/tr/
Uygur Architects. (n.d.). CerModern. (Retrieved April 25, 2025). https://www.uygurarchitects.com/site/en/projects/cermodern
WikiArquitectura. (n.d.). Born cultural center. (Retrieved April 25, 2025). https://en.wikiarquitectura.com/building/born-cultural-center/
Yalçın, G. (2024). Evaluation of functional change in the scope of reuse of historical building: The example of Historical Bitlis Town Hall. Journal of International Design and Art, 6(1), 26_42. https://idajournal.com/index.php/ida/article/view/228
Youtube. (2022, April 10). Cendere Art Museum: From water to culture [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo22V3Y6EYU
Yung, E. H. K., & Chan, E. H. W. (2012). Critical social sustainability factors in urban conservation: The case of the Central Police Station Compound in Hong Kong. Facilities, 30(9/10), 396-416. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632771211235224
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Neslihan Yıldız, Mert Kılıçaslan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.


