Yıldız Palace, Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post (Nöbet Yeri) restoration project

Yıldız Palace, the last palace the Ottoman Empire has built, is located in Beşiktaş. In the thesis, structures that are located at the Yıldız Palace, Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post are examined. It is known that most of the buildings which have timber building system could not make it to reach the present day. Purpose of the study is to documenting the structure with original timber construction qualities, offer protection proposals and create a suggestion for use according to the structure with the restoration project. So that, it is aimed to offer example conservation proposals for similar structures that has with similar building techniques. The subject of the thesis, Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post is located at the first court (I. Avlu) and in the face of opposite Great Mabeyn Kiosk. It can be said that the building has a strong connection with Palace's environment because it is located near the Valide Gate, Saltanat Gate and Harem Interior Gate. Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post are two different buildings but they are examined under a single title since they are positioned adjacent. Yaveran Department is made of timber while the Sentry Post is made of masonry materials. The structure is built during the reign of Abdülhamid II. It is known that construction system using rationalized timber elements is preferred at the Palace's some structures regin of Abdülhamid II because of the reasons like the need for speed in the construction business and economic factors. Yaveran Department is a structure that is built using rationalized timber elements as seen in the Western origin colonial cottage. Above the basement is two-stored and the Sentry Post building is one-stored. The thesis is composed under the name Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post and is consisted as six chapters. In the introduction chapter, the aim of the study, scope and the use of methods are referred. Besides survey of the building status and preparing project; sources, documents, maps, photographs, plans etc. visuals are investigated from different archives and libraries. In the second chapter, the history of the Yıldız Palace and the effects of Westernization to the palace are examined. Also the structures around the Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post are examined. Westernization Period is process that is started with Ottoman Empire's interest in the West for regather the power which has been lost. In this context, many innovations have been made and they have influenced areas such as architecture and art. The designs of Raimondo D'Aronco or the use of structure metarials like cement can be exemplified to the effects of Westernization to the Yıldız Palace. Yıldız Palace was used as a hunting ground regin of the Kanuni Sultan Süleyman and until then small and big structures are built in the area. Abdülhamid II decide to move the palace administration and dynasty to Yıldız, starting the fast building process of Yıldız Palace. During this period, most of the Palace is completed and the it had closest situation to the present day. It had been used by Turkish military forces between 1940-1970 after the declaration of the Repuclic. Yıldız Palace has lost some of its structures and its connection to Ihlamur Korusu because of the development actions in 1950s. In 1978, It was transferred to the Ministry of Culture and continued to be used by ten different institutions. In 2015, it was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Tentative List. Nowadays, the majority of them have been evacuated for use by the Presidency and restoration works are in progress. Palace consists of Formal Section (Birun), Private Section (Harem), Outher Garden and Surroundings Structures. A particular order isn't followed in the Palace settlement, so the street, square etc. are naturally occurred. In the Private Section (Harem) of the Palace there is an artificial big lake. In the landcape layout, Pitoresque style is generally referred. In the surrounding of Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post, there is Great Mabeyn Kiosk, Set Kiosk, Çit Kiosk, Silahhane, Small Mabeyn Kiosk, Hünkar Dairesi (Hünkar House), Limonluk and Carpenter's Workshop. In the chapter three, the history of Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post is examined, involving the current states of the structures, plan features, facade features, building techniques and metarials, architectural elements and the deterioration in the structure. The Ottoman documents and map plans obtained from the Prime Ministry Ottoman Archive has been translated to today's Turkish. By comparing historical documents, memories and photographs from Abdülhamid II Archive with data that is gathered from different sources, the information about the construction date of the building, the architect and the function of the building were tried to be found. The changes in site plan is observed during this searching. The two small pools in front the Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post and the Tüfenkçiler structure across the building, are not available today. It is understood that the buildings were built between 1890-1892 but the architect is unknown. Yaveran Department was used by the commanders of the sultan while the Sentry Post was used by Palace guards. Like the Palace complex, the Yaveran Department and the Sentry Post were also registered as the 1st group. In time, the building has been used by diffirent users and lastly by IRCICA. Today, the building is allocated to the Presidency. Building has a thin and long form on account of the sequencing of rooms. The facade of the timber structure is plastered and exposed timbers are painted in blue. The ground floor entrances are noticeable both by steps and wall ledges and the building has many entrance doors. The first floor cantilever ends are ornamented. The facade, in which the louvered windows are arranged in order, reminds the office design and also elements of Art Nouveau style can be seen. In accordance with the eaves overhang layout of roof, the structure is of Chalet style. Carvings of the building are made of Baroque – Rococo style. The Sentry Post building is polygonal planned has a glass case entrance door. The large Baroque eaves is timber and its facade facing the Great Mabeyn Kiosk is quite ornamented. The existing damage in the buildings is mostly caused by moisture. Therefore, there can be seen efflorescence, damage of plaster etc. on the buildings, also the paint on the external timber surfaces are cracked because of the UV rays. Hence on the buildings, there can be seen installation attachment and cavities. The forth chapter is dedicated to the restitution researches and project. Hints for the original plan of Yaveran Department can't be read in detail on the structure. Hence, an analogy study was requested to be done. But, due to the Yaveran Department's function and construction's features, it may have remained singular. Therefore, no structure was found to compare by means of function for analogy. However, design criteria obtained from military barracks guides written in the same period helped in the preparation of restitution project. In addition, Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives documents and the Istanbul Number III Cultural Heritage Preservation Board Archive's visuals were used also other archives. Based on the photographs, it can be assumed that there is no big change in the facade design compared to the first period. In the fifth chapter deals with interventions for damage and recommendations for use. The main purpose is to ensure the security of the structure and keep it alive with the least possible intervention. In this context, there are titles such as; cleaning, consolidation, reintegration and renewal. Inserts that do not fit the original texture of the structure were cleaned. It is recommended that investigate the cause of the damages during field study. The replacement of decomposed timber elements with the same size and quality of impregnated timber is also recommended. It is also proposed to replace the roofing metarial of Yaveran Department. Because the roof tile is thought that a misleading impression of the original construction system. It is aimed to cut the relationship between the structure and the humidity with the arrengements like rain pipes and drainage system. In addition, Yaveran Department has not got insulation of the original structure. So this is the thought affect the interior comfort conditions. For this reasons, energy efficiency and the techniques used about the topic are mentioned and discussed. However the most effective way to make decisions is to prepare a solution this issue with a team of experts. The first function of Yaveran Department was used as a service structure and the last function is used as an office. In addition to this information, in the new function proposal; the location, characteristics and comfort conditions of the building were taken in to consideration. Temporary exhibition function has been proposed due to the conditions of use and facilities offered by the building. Yaveran Department divided in to three; exhibition management, temporary exhibition and guide services, in itself. It has been ensured that the functions are interconnected and feed each other. The layout of the exhibition accommodates the requirements of the plan. Therefore, it is recommended to visit with a guide. It is suggested to exhibits the works of new talents who the state has discovered and seen succesfull where in the temporary exhibition. Also exhibitions working days and opening celebrations are detailed in the decision of restoration project. In addition, the new use proposed to the building that the interaction with the outside of Palace and it's strengthened. The structure of the Sentry Post is functioned as security, according to its original function. The sixth chapter is the result chapter. The project of the thesis was prepared and necessary research was completed. Lastly, few of the original timber structures have survived to the present day. On this thesis; it is desired to exemplify that our historic timber structures's level of technology and diversity of style.