Design and Thoughts at the Margin

Abstract

The latest spatial renovations in Mimar Sinan University bring forth some thoughts and reminiscences about the social and architectural history of the institution. The Cemile and Zekiye Sultan Palaces today constituting the main buildings of the University were built in 1860. The former building which was used in its original form until the fire in 1948 was given to the Academy of Fine Arts in 1926. Professors Sedad Hakkı Eldem and Mehmet Ali Handan prepared new renovation projects modernizing the original architectural concept for the Cemile Sultan Palace after the fire and for the Zekiye Sultan Palace after it was given to the Academy in 1970. Although they were plain and colorless compared to their original states, the buildings now had spacious, luminous interiors, which allowed light and air to show in. The buildings preserved their original spatial configurations until the voids and courtyards were built over in order to provide space for new studios and offices. The current problem of space that the University needs may be resolved by the allocation of new buildings and by limiting the number of students accepted each year.