CIPA 2003 XIX th International Symposium, 30 September - 04 October, 2003, Antalya, Turkey
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continuing occupation of the Ottoman capital by the Allied
Forces on January 16-21, 1923, Atatürk met the editors-in-chief
of various Istanbul newspapers in the great hall located at the
ground floor level. This event, known as the “Istanbul Press
Conference” (Tevhid-i Efkâr, January 18, 1923; Arar 1997;
Kemal, undated) was followed by a speech to the people of
Izmit on January 21 at the Cinema building (Tevhid-i Ejkâr,
January 21, 1923).
The lodge was used as the centre of the local government
following the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923
(Yücel 1980) and went through a major restoration in 1958 3 . It
was handed over to the Turkish Ministry of Culture General
Directorate of Monuments and Museums in 1965 (Tuglaci
1981) and was opened to visit as the Museum of Izmit on June
28, 1967 (Yücel 1980; Tuglaci 1981). The exhibits included
19 th century furniture and an ethnographical collection at the
upper floor and archaeological founds at the ground floor and in
the garden.
The building was registered in 1987 by the decision of the
Turkish Ministry of Culture Istanbul No. II Regional
Commission on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural
Property no. 18.02.1999/5070 as a “first group cultural
property”. The palace was restored in 1997 and was opened on
November 16, 1998. However, it was severely damaged during
the earthquakes of Kocaeli on August 17, 1999 and Dtizce on
November 12, 1999. The magnitude of the damage due to the
earthquake increased as a result of the subsequent smaller
quakes and because the building was left partially exposed to
the effects of the climatic conditions. Considering this situation,
the Governor of Kocaeli requested the preparation of “Repair-
Strengthening, Restoration and Re-Use Projects” from Istanbul
Technical University.
Figure2a, 2b. Internal and external views after earthquake.
5 Due to its location on the North Anatolian Fault, the building has been
damaged as a result of various earthquakes and was repaired
thereafter. The first documented repair-work is described in detail in
Architect Mehmet Vedaf s cost assessment titled “Mahal-i inçaat-i
Îzmifte vaki Kasr-i Hümayün Tamirati” (“The Repair of the
Imperial Lodge in izmit”). During this intervention dated April 7,
1321H / 1905, the building was partially renovated, and plasters,
roof parapets and ceiling decorations were renewed. (Dolmabahçe
Palace Archive, Hazine-i Hassa Evraklari No.727) In 1958, the
building was restored according to a 77-item bill of quantities and
contract prepared by the Turkish Ministry of Education General
Directorate of Monuments and Museums (GEEAYK decision no.
17.05.1958/321 ); the latest restoration was dated to 1997-8. During
this intervention some of the façade cladding panels were changed,
the ceiling decorations were repainted, the window frames were
changed and all interior wall surfaces were replastered and
repainted.
2. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Hunting Lodge is located in a large garden overlooking the
Gulf of Izmit. It is a two-storey high small palace of brick
masonry construction over a partial basement. The main
entrance is on the south side facing the sea. There are secondary
entrances on the east and west facades underneath the upper
level balconies. The plan is symmetrical on the north-south
axis. There is a large space at the centre with smaller spaces on
the sides; the front spaces are living rooms whereas the back
ones are reserved for services. There is a monumental marble
staircase located on the entrance axis, which starts with a single
central flight and then divides into two side arms after the first
landing. The central axis that houses the entrance hall at the
ground floor level and the large hall (divanhane) at the upper
floor level is accentuated with a projection on the south facade.
The large window openings create a well-illuminated interior.
There are painted decorations (kalemifi) of plant figures in
geometrical patterns on the ceilings of all the halls at both floor
levels. These ceiling decorations and the oil paintings directly
on the walls of the divanhane enrich the interior spaces. The
exterior facades reflect a monumental order based on double
pilasters, composite capitals, window and floor level cornices
and decorative medallions.
The brick masonry structure of the building is plastered on the
inside and clad with cut stone panels on the outside. The floor
and ceiling structures and the roof are timber. There is a certain
hierarchy in the employment of materials in the building. The
use of Preconessis Island marble is more common on the
monumental entrance facade whereas Gölcük limestone and
Yalova tuffs (od toy/) are used on the others. These natural
stone panels were replaced with artificial stone ones during
various interventions.
3. STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS
The ageing of the building materials, the use of inappropriate
techniques and materials in repair interventions, the effect of
the earthquake and the building’s following exposure to
climatic conditions, and the lack of maintenance are the major
causes for the deterioration of the building. Due to the
continuous interaction of these causes, the damage has
increased in magnitude. In order to determine the appropriate
method of restoration, the types and causes of deterioration
Figure 3a, 3b, 3c. Constructional damages after the earthquake
The most prominent type of deformation in the building is
structural and results from the earthquake of August 17, 1999.
Inappropriate interventions and lack of maintenance prior to
this disaster have intensified its destructive effect. Especially
striking is the collapse of the roof parapet in large pieces, which
has also brought down the cast iron balcony balustrades with
