Dolmabahce Gasometer Renewal
Architectural Project with CAA.Studio / Under Construction
Location: İstanbul
Year: 2022
Dolmabahce Gasometer Renewal
Architectural Project with CAA.Studio / Under Construction
Location: İstanbul
Year: 2022
/ HERITAGE IN TRANSITION
Situated at the intersection of Beşiktaş, Şişli, and Beyoğlu, the Dolmabahçe Gasworks occupies a strategic position within one of Istanbul’s most vibrant cultural corridors. Its proximity to Maçka Park and nearby university campuses offers strong potential for integration with the daily life of the city. The project aims to reinterpret this industrial heritage site as a contemporary cultural and recreational focal point.
To strengthen the dialogue between the Gasworks and its surroundings, a new pedestrian link is introduced from Maçka Park, complementing the existing Kadırgalar Street entrance. This gesture transforms the site into an extension of the Maçka Valley landscape and reinforces the urban axis between Şişli and Beşiktaş.
At the heart of the proposal lies a new public square designed to accommodate a range of open-air activities — concerts, film screenings, festivals, and discussions — supported by the adaptive reuse of the pump house as a stage structure. A glass floor inserted within this volume reveals the original fabric of the industrial building below, inviting visitors to engage directly with the site’s layered history.
The main Gasometer is reimagined as a mixed-use cultural facility combining a digital art museum, library, and multi-purpose hall. Independent access to the hall ensures flexible operation across different timeframes and event types. Above, the museum and library occupy upper levels connected by a semi-open recreational terrace overlooking the Bosphorus and Maçka Valley. The museum is conceived as a dynamic platform for rotating exhibitions rather than a static collection, reflecting the evolving nature of digital art and technology.
Architecturally, the design draws inspiration from the wooden prismatic geometry of the original Gasometer. These volumes define exhibition spaces and filter light into the interiors, while the interstitial zones between them serve as informal gathering and rest areas. Together, these elemewnts transform the Dolmabahçe Gasworks into a layered, transparent, and inclusive cultural landmark for Istanbul.