Istanbul Bar Association Cultural Center

📍 Beyoğlu, Istanbul
🏗 Status: Concept Design
📐 Usable Area: 980 m²
👥 Project Team: Ece Çakır Aidan, Matthew Aidan, Gizem Kadioglu

Designed as a cultural and professional hub for the Istanbul Bar Association, this project transforms a 19th-century Beyoğlu building through a careful retrofitting approach, preserving its architectural integrity while adapting it for contemporary use. The Bar Association Cultural Center will serve as a multifunctional space where member lawyers can work, collaborate, engage in continuous professional development (CPD) training, and participate in cultural and artistic events.

Urban & Public Integration

Located in the heart of Beyoğlu’s historic urban fabric, the ground floor is designed as a public space, featuring a café and bookstore. This creates a welcoming environment not only for legal professionals but also for the broader community, allowing the project to integrate seamlessly into Pera’s cultural and social landscape.

Preserving Architectural Heritage

A key aspect of the design was preserving the original brickwork, maintaining the historical character of the building while introducing natural wood elements that complement its existing textures. This balance of heritage preservation and contemporary intervention ensures the building’s authenticity and longevity.

Functional Layout & Circulation Strategy

The spatial organization prioritizes usability, accessibility, and adaptability:

  • High-traffic, collaborative areas are positioned toward the main street façade, allowing for dynamic interactions and networking.

  • More private workspaces and quieter study areas are arranged along the secondary street entrance, providing a focused and undisturbed environment.

Flexible & Sustainable Design

The Bar Association Cultural Center is designed with flexibility and long-term adaptability in mind, supporting a variety of professional and cultural activities. The center includes:

  • Co-working spaces & private offices for individual and collaborative legal work.

  • Workshops & seminar rooms for CPD training and skill development.

  • Libraries & reading areas to provide access to legal resources and literature.

  • Meeting rooms & event spaces for networking and cultural programming.

By integrating historical preservation with modern functionality, this concept envisions a dynamic cultural and professional environment that fosters learning, collaboration, and community engagement within one of Istanbul’s most historic districts.