Evaluation of functional transformation of underground cisterns in İstanbul in terms of spatial aspects

In order to carry to next generations, the preservation of historical buildings which have social, cultural and architectural values, is an important issue for societies to look after their history. Refunctioning can be viewed as an opportunity if it involves right decisions in order to preservation of historical buildings. In order to sustain functional value, refunctioning may be needed for buildings, which have been still stood on as structural but not used functional. Cisterns in İstanbul constitute important and valuable building inventory among historical buildings which should have been protected. Cisterns which have totally lost their functions, had been used as depot for water, with a conscious approach, would be preserved and appreciated with refunctioning. Observed in time that they have been used unconsciously as textile studio, depot for fruit and vegetable , repair shop, waste storage etc. and today in intensive circulation as restaurant, event area or museum. This functional variety can be classified with cultural, commercial, religious and other purposes. For protection of cisterns, these usages sometimes have positive and sometimes have negative results. When cisterns which are using for cultural purposes, are examined; using for social benefits has positive results for spatial and structural point. The right approach of preservation is not about to be belong to government or private sector, is about to select cultural function due to high class conscious. On the other hand, it is observed that using cisterns for commercial purpose has aim to gain profit at first more than preservation. Today, the cistern under the Kambur Mustafa Paşa Mosque is only using for religious purpose, shows that how unconsciously usage omits original spatial value. Furthermore, even if they have not a special function in typology, when other cisterns are used unconsciously, they may lose their values. As conclusion, refunctioning is in order to be right way to preserve underground cisterns, selection of function type is an important issue. Otherwise, cistern buildings can be damaged with structural or spatial enforcements. Therefore, if right selection of function has a protective perspective, historical buildings are preserved with reuse.