Kiliç Ali Pasa Hamam Renovation Project
Estambul TR
Cafer Bozkurt Architecture
2011
Type
Cultural
Tags
renovations, heritage sites interventions
Visitability
Allowed
Description
The Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam was constructed in 1580 by Master Architect Sinan, on behalf of Grand Ottoman Admiral Kılıç Ali Paşa as part of a larger ‘külliye’ complex, in the Tophane district of Istanbul. A 430-year-old 1st degree historical monument built by Master Architect Sinan, this complex is inherently significant for its historic and evidential values. As the physical manifestation of a unique period in the historical harbor of the Ottoman imperial city, the Kılıç Ali Paşa hamam restoration offers the contemporary city the possibility to grasp a cultural palimpsest.430 years of layered materials and debris, literally ‘embalming’ the surfaces and ‘burying’ the structure, had to be removed in order to identify and restitute the original Sinan building. Some of the 19th and 20th century additions that have become an integral part of the usage of the bathhouse, such as the 2-storey wood construction for seating and dressing rooms in the large domed entrance hall, have been re-designed minimally to meet 21st century needs and standards in the process of reviving the original bathhouse function.This project is of exceptionally high restoration quality, in terms of its successful useof original materials and techniques, its innovative integration of new building technologies, and overall construction quality. It is an impressive piece of architectural and spatial work, both in the contemporary architectural sense as well as in terms of capturing the original historical atmosphere.The old Hamam has become not only part of public space again in the Tophane area,but also part of an overall revitalization of a previously derelict area in the city. Inrestoring the building to its original function, this project plays an important sociocultural role in the re-introduction of the Ottoman bathing culture into contemporary urban life. Providing the much-needed physical restoration work and sanitary update to adapt this building to suit contemporary standards, the project has brought this delightful monument back into the cultural spotlight.(Description provided by the architects)