Beyoğlu Telephone Central restoration project

In this thesis; Beyoğlu Telephone central built in İstanbul, Beyoğlu town, Tomtom district, 323 isle, 30 parcel, is documented and restoration project prepared. With the researches and surveys, it is aimed to reveal the cultural heritage of the building. The central is listed in degree two. It has one basement, ground and two normal storeys. Ground floor is 765 m² and parcel area is 1175 m². Entrance is on Babaocağı Street at the south facade. In the isle, there are abondened facilities, a listed abondened building and space used as parking area. All parcels of the isle belongs to Türk Telekom. As a result of westernisation and use of modern technologies, Beyoğlu Telephone Central is built. After I. Meşrutiyet and oppresive goverment of II.Abdulhamid, in Sultan V. Mehmet Reşat period, due to aggrements with Dersaadet Telefon Anonim Şirket-i Osmaniye, central put into service in 1913. Two more facilities in Kadıköy and Eminönü was built by this company. Structure is targetted to use modern construction technology of concrete system. The architects are Turkish-M.Boyazoglou, English-W.Sprowson. Engineer is G.Kaul. Central is in usage as communication and data delivery by Türk Telekom. Telephone and internet cables passes through central and circulate in Beyoğlu. Also part of basement storey is used by Boğaziçi Elektrik (BEDAŞ). PTT had devolved the ownership of building to Türk Telekom. In first chapter, the objective of thesis, content and methods used in surveying are explained. In second part the usage of Telephone in Ottoman is explained. The needs of new facilities for communication and governmental responses to telephone are scoped. In third part, Beyoğlu town history, Tomtom district and close surrounding buildings are taken. In fourth chapter, Beyoğlu Telephone Central is taken with its history, periodical properties, present architectural situation, room explanations, ornament details. Structural, material decays also take place in this part. In fifth chapter, restitution project takes place with periodical analysis, drawings. Deriven from historical maps, old photos and documents, present hints in the building, restitution ideas presented. In sixth part, restoration alternatives, reuse suggestions are mentioned. Structural damages and weak points are signed and mentioned to be analysed by engineering methods. Future plans of Turk Telekom about that building is to deactivate that facility and detach the building off the cables and other mechanical devices. In conclusion, all the information and projects, recommendatitons are summed and evaluated. In Istanbul, established telephone networks for only official users in the present post office and telegraph households had been inadequate to meet growing demand and also operating problems accured. In this case, foreign capitalists and entrepreneurs who had intended before, sought to build and operate concessions on the telephone network in İstanbul May 6, 1911, presented by Herbert Webber Lows and commision composed of French, British, American shareholders for 30-year concession to build and operate the telephone network. In order to conduct business, coalition founded Dersaadet Telephone Joint Stock Company. In Tahtakale, 9600 line, in Beyoğlu 6400 line, İn Kadıköy 2000 Western Electric product lines were established on the last day of month February 1913. Spacious rooms and alot of add-ons were the biggest trick in survey phase. Bad conditions in basement storey, mounted devices, additional separating walls prohibited measuring the building. As survey work progresses, restitution ideas emerged and result was getting exciting. It was clear how building was damaged and gone far from its originality. Main reason of too many additions is human factor, need of new spaces for central. Those additions caused loss of two facades completely. Reconstruction of these lost facades needed. Also lost original interior separations must be restitued. There is little documentary lighting the restitution of the central. Only old photos of two phases and some interior pictures in books. After a long and detailed search, no project or drawing belonging to building found. Old maps helps about restitution decisions. Also correspondences and agreements between the commision and Ottoman goverment helps us. Time period called II. Meşrutiyet has many architects and important buildings. In this period, national architects and styles rises. Especially after the declaration of Tanzimat, Rum, Armenian and foreign architects ruled the Ottoman westernisation architecture movement. But II. Meşrutiyet buildings vary in architects, styles and construction style. Construction style is the vanishing point for this central building. That of early concrete example, we can find in some articles, journals mentioned this building. Especially journals have content about engineering and concrete mentions this facility. Architecture name was another point to be revealed as a Turkish-foreign partnership in II. Meşrutiyet term. There is very little information about architectures of this building. French concrete journal ''Le Betonarme'' tells us the architects and engineers of this building. New usage and restoration proposal are based on restitution works especially second term restitution. Meticulously, restitution searched in different resources. Restoration project will solve the present additional complex buildings and enliven this industrial cultural heritage. Latest technology developments present less human power. Formerly larger facility was required. New achievements in technology provides very little maybe no spaces. In time, PTT built new places for demand but maybe one room can serve as a whole centrale. Turk Telekom plans about this building are on the theme of disposal of this central. It is certain that, building must stop working so restoration project can be done. All the cables, giant machines must be taken. In basement there are very dangerous two electricity supplies. They explode periodically and eventually don't harm anybody. They must be carried out far from building. New situation and additional building aim to organize that isle. In the heart of Beyoğlu, such a valuable land is going to be evaluated well and historical values will be protected. This early concrete example will live longer with its beautiful facades. Considering the latest technologies, it would be unnecessary to replant the central again. During construction central must pause service. It seems impossible, such great infrasturcture can't move from the building. When it is possible to move , it should be permanent. Reuse as central may be insufficiant because, after all the costs and investments, return will be dissapointing. So function must be different from central. Beyoğlu is the heart of culture, history and entertainment in İstanbul. The purpose is the make people feel they are in Beyoğlu, also remind the bulding. Part of the building may serve for Turk Telekom administrative staff or educational purpose. In this part there may be museum of communication. Some parts can be rented for cafes, restaurants and cultural events. This project aims to contribute regions cultural ambience by revealing the old building. Development project of Ottoman is going to live in future.