Zeynep Selvi
Reading Sinan’s Architecture: Traditions, books & roots. UHasselt (Belgium)
In this project, I explore the concept of reconnecting the Külliye and reviving the dialogue between the people and the Süleymaniye Mosque’s Social Complex, as Architect Sinan intended it to be.
My journey began by delving into the era of Sinan, understanding the context of his life in the 16th century and the architectural legacy he left behind. His designs, inspired by Sultan Süleyman’s patronage, shaped Istanbul’s landscape and reflected his pursuit of creative freedom and innovation. Each structure has a unique identity while maintaining overall coherence. I traced the evolution of the complex’s functions from its golden age as a hub of education, healthcare, communal dining, and spiritual contemplation to the present day, noting the diminished sense of cohesion and restricted access.
My design proposal aims to reintegrate lost functions, foster community engagement, and encourage visitors to rediscover the ‘University City’ that once thrived here. By using the demolished plot of land and the only empty, stripped-back, concrete building that’s left standing as a shade in the city, making use of its advantageous location, the buildings, ateliers, and row shops can reconnect in a more spacious place and use its garden as the courtyard of Sinan himself. This plot of land holds the potential to blossom into the literary haven it longs to be, with the ruins of the building housing lost functions and the empty slope serving as a connecting garden leading to Sinan’s mausoleum. These are meant to strengthen the narrative of this street and form a representation of how we can adapt and reuse the built environment.
The concept of the literary garden comes from the inspiration of the courtyards Sinan included in all of his buildings in the Külliye. The little green haven that was granted in the then busy and dynamic life is the source of the outgoing project. Using the slope in a way that it can serve as an enclosed garden/park for the public, making sure the trees and bees make the fast life in Istanbul take a break. Contemplation is the message, reading about what has been, so we can decide more wisely what will be.
SCHUNCK cannot guarantee the correctness of content and expression. The participants themselves are responsible for their entries. The copyright of the projects underlies to the authors, any reproduction or use of the shown material is strictly forbidden.