Approaches in the Adaptive Reuse of Historical Buildings: Erimtan and CerModern as Contemporary Exhibition Spaces

Sayıcı M., Kutbay Mutlu B. Ş., Yaşar A. Ş., Yaşar A., Aycı H.

Journal of Science PART B: ART, HUMANITIES, DESIGN AND PLANNING, cilt.13, sa.3, ss.385-400, 2025 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

Cities are not merely physical spaces but dynamic environments where historical continuity and social interaction persist. The sustainability of a city depends on the transformation of the built environment being shaped through an integrated relationship with historical accumulation, cultural values, and social dynamics. In this regard, it is important to reintegrate spaces remain unused within the urban fabric back into social life, in order to preserve urban identity and strengthen the sense of belonging. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the connection between the space and its historical and social context, this approach reveals diverse layers of urban belonging. The aim of the study is to examine the potential of museum spaces to transform into discourse fields within the context of contemporary museology and to investigate the impact of spatial decisions on knowledge and meaning production throughout this process. The aim of addressing adaptive reuse and contemporary museology together in this study is to discuss design and construction strategies that can restore the original identities of historic buildings within a contextual integrity. The analysis examines the conversion of unused culturally valuable buildings into exhibition spaces. This framework investigated the Erimtan Archaeology Museum and CerModern as case studies. These two cases were analyzed in terms of contextual connection, cultural sensitivity, selection of spatial opportunities, and social participation. The study demonstrates that transforming historic spaces into exhibition areas within contemporary museology enhances spatial belonging and strengthens urban memory through their contextual and historical layers, thereby supporting sustainable transformation.