Kocaeli ammunition depot building protection proposal

Located in Gündoğdu District of İzmit, Kocaeli, the Bekirdere Ammunition Depot (Parcel 793/2) is a rare surviving example of early Republican military infrastructure within the logistical network established around the Gulf of İzmit. Owing to its long-term use within a restricted military zone and the absence of systematic documentation, the building's architectural characteristics, construction techniques, and its place within the typology of ammunition depots have remained largely unexplored. This study aims to document, analyze, and evaluate the structure through an integrated conservation process comprising survey (rölöve), restitution, and restoration stages. The existing condition of the building was documented using terrestrial laser scanning and RTK-supported drone photogrammetry; point cloud data were complemented by classical architectural measurement techniques, enabling the production of accurate plan, section, and elevation drawings. Archival research—including national archives, municipal collections, and historical aerial photographs—was combined with field observations to contextualize the structure within the military organization of the early Republican İzmit Naval Command. Material assessments and deterioration analyses revealed that the original fabric—hollow brick masonry walls, timber roof trusses, and Marseille-type roof tiles—has been largely preserved, whereas inappropriate later interventions, moisture-related deterioration, and insufficient maintenance have caused significant material and architectural loss. Restitution decisions were developed based on physical traces, archival visuals, and typological comparisons. Restoration proposals were formulated according to the principles of "minimal intervention," "respect for original material," and "reversibility," ensuring that the structure can be sustainably reused as a café/restaurant without compromising its historical identity.