Genius Loci in Adaptive Reuse: Bank Museums in Ankara

Abstract

Adaptive reuse, one of the architectural conservation interventions, involves the adaptation of existing buildings for new or ongoing functions while balancing their cultural significance and contemporary requirements. This strategy, consistent with sustainability goals, is not only about preserving cultural heritage but also about providing ecologic and economic interests. Apart from other forms of interventions, adaptive reuse praxis particularly emphasises the presence of the spirit of place. Therefore, beyond its sustainability intentions, the continuity of intangible elements that are an integral part of the genius loci is crucial in the case of adaptive reuse. An ancient Latin expression, “genius loci”, also known as “the spirit of place”, has become a significant factor of creativity and continuity in contemporary architecture and conservation. Based on the bond between place and people, the spirit of place is the phenomenon of the holistic perception of a place's tangible and intangible elements. Within this context, this study intends to identify the stages of perceiving genius loci in order to evaluate the success of adaptive reuse praxis. This hypothetical algorithm of sensory experience, remembrance, interpretation and narration is analysed through two case studies, such as the General Headquarters of Ziraat Bank and İşbank, both among the first public buildings built in the new capital of the Turkish Republic, Ankara.

Keywords

• architectural consevation
• adaptive reuse
• genius loci
• spirit of place
• museology

Yeniden İşlevlendirmede Genius Loci: Ankara'daki Banka Müzeleri

Abstract

Mimari koruma müdahalelerinden biri olan yeniden işlevlendirme, mevcut binaların kültürel önemleri ve çağdaş gereksinimler arasında denge kurarak yeni veya devam eden işlevler doğrultusunda uyarlanmasını kapsar. Sürdürülebilirlik hedefleriyle tutarlı olan bu strateji, yalnızca kültürel mirasın korunmasıyla değil, aynı zamanda ekolojik ve ekonomik fayda sağlamakla da ilgilidir. Diğer müdahale biçimlerinden farklı olarak, yeniden işlevlendirme pratiği özellikle yerin ruhunun varlığına vurgu yapmaktadır. Bu nedenle, sürdürülebilirlik niyetinin ötesinde, yeniden işlevlendirme durumunda yerin ruhunun ayrılmaz bir parçası olan soyut unsurların devamlılığı çok önemlidir. Eski bir Latince sözcük olan, “yerin ruhu” olarak da bilinen “genius loci”, çağdaş mimarlık ve koruma alanlarında önemli bir yaratıcılık ve süreklilik unsuru haline gelmiştir. İnsanlar ve yer arasındaki bağa dayanan genius loci, bir yerin somut ve somut olmayan unsurlarının bütünsel olarak algılanması olgusudur. Bu bağlamda, bu çalışma, yeniden işlevlendirme pratiğinin başarısını değerlendirmek için yerin ruhu algısının aşamalarını belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Duyusal deneyim, hatırlama, yorumlama ve anlatıdan oluşan bu varsayımsal algoritma, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti'nin yeni başkenti Ankara Ulus’ta inşa edilen ilk kamu binaları arasında yer alan Ziraat Bankası Genel Müdürlüğü ve İş Bankası Genel Müdürlüğü gibi iki örnek yapı üzerinden analiz edilmektedir.

Keywords

• mimari koruma
• yeniden işlevlendirme
• genius loci
• yerin ruhu
• müzecilik

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