Architects made Istanbul I : Raimondo Tommaso D'Aronco

D'Aronco ( 1857-1932)

D'Aronco was invited Turkey for construction projects after the earthquake in 1894 in the reign of Abdulhamid II . He ascended to the chief architect position of palace and created unique buildings in Istanbul successfully combining Islamic Architecture and Art Nouveau - especially Secession style. He also designed pure Art Nouveau project like Casa Botter in Beyoglu and kiosks at Bosphorus shore that impacted Turkish architectural heritage.

for his works in other countries : http://www.arteliberty.it/to_padiglione_aronco.html


 Merzifonlu Masjid

Kemeraltı Caddesi, Karaköy / Beyoglu

Kemeraltı Caddesi, Karaköy / Beyoglu

Retrieved from http://www.gazeteboyut.com/turkiyede-tarih-budur

Kemeraltı Caddesi, Karaköy / Beyoglu

After destruction

After the World War II, Turkey adopted more liberal economic and political system that result in massive construction and industrialization projects. The historic core of the city- mostly the regions in Historical Peninsula and Beyoglu- was destroyed  to open wide roads for modern transportation. Karaköy was one of the main regions planned as a modern square and transportation hub. Along the ring between Karaköy-Kabataş-Beşiktaş, many mosques, fountains, church yards and building were destroyed to create the wide road in that part of city. The mosque designed by D'Aranco was one of the victims of that period and eventually the square lost its prominence due to following recreations and tram route. Now the place of the mosque is empty that means this masterpiece is destroyed unnecessarily.

Kemeraltı Caddesi, Karaköy / Beyoglu

Kemeraltı Caddesi, Karaköy / Beyoglu

Casa Botter

Casa Botter is on Istiklal Street at the direction going Tunnel near Swedish Ambassadory. It is one of the most significant Art Nouveau building in the city with a floral figured façade and handcraft ironwork balcony. The building was used as an atelier and fashion gallery - every floor alloted for London, Paris and Vienna fashions- belonging to Jean Botter who was the personal tailor of Sultan Abdulhamid II.

Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoglu

Retrieved from: http://istanbulmakesmesmile.blogspot.com/2011/12/botter-han.html#!/2011/12/botter-han.html

Istiklal Caddesi, Beyoglu

Retrieved from: http://istanbulmakesmesmile.blogspot.com/2011/12/botter-han.html#!/2011/12/botter-han.html

 Art Nouveau Fountain - Lalei Çeşme by D'aranco

on the intersection of Laleli Çeşme Sokak and Şair Ziya Paşa Caddesi, Kuledibi / Beyoğlu

Art Nouveau Tomb by D'Aranco

Tomb of Sheikh Zafir, Mehmet Ali Bey Sokak / Beşiktaş

Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Turbe_of_Sheikh_Zafir_Effendi_01.jpg

The tomb and the fountain both has the similar arc looking figure at top and cascading geometric shapes under that figure and creates the same impression on the observer. Besides, the organic, floral motifs maturize it as great Art Nouveau interpretion of classical architectural forms.

Clock Tower in Şişli Hospital for Children

(Şişli Etfal Hastanesi Saat Kulesi)

School of Medicine

Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Haydarpasa_campus_general.jpg

Former Mekteb-i Tıbbıye-i Şahane ( School of Medicine, 1903)

Today: Marmara University, Haydarpaşa / Kadıköy

D'Aronco designed this building with prominent contemporary architect Alexandre Vallaury who was educated in École des Arts in Paris. Vallaury synthesized Turkish-Islamic arhitecture with Beaux Arts Neoclassicism. School of Medicine reflects signs of  both artists but Art Nouveau effects are not overwhelming like other projects of D'Aronco.

National Architecture I: Mongeri House and Vedat Tek House in Şişli and other rare samples

This time I am sharing some pictures of buildings with National Architecture Style which came into being in end of 19th century and beginning of 20th century. Many monumental edifices represented this style, especially government buildings like hospitals, schools and banks were built and and financed by government since Turkish-Islamic figures were interpreted with a modern sense. This architectural style was partly a reaction to the flourishing western style apartments all over Istanbul and developped its own style inspiring from Islamic Architecture, Turkish House in rural areas and muslim districts in İstanbul. Many of the objects like ceramic tiles of classical age mosques were revived and used in the facade of these "modern" buildings.  Istanbul-born Italian architect Mongeri , Mimar Kemalettin Bey, Vedat Tek, worked as significant architects in Ottoman and Republican period and refined 1st National Architecture style.

Below, I am sharing some civilian samples of National Architecture -rather than typical and monumental samples-  from Şişli , Nişantaşı and Cihangir which cannot be countered often even in its homeland, since only most of the edifices and official buildings - let's say not civilian- were erected in this style. This is why I think these houses are very interesting and hope that going to be a good introduction for National Architecture Movement.

Guilio Mongeri

( 1873, Istanbul - 1953, Italy )

Mongeri House

Dr. Şevket Bey Street , Şişli

Dr. Şevket Bey Street , Şişli

Dr. Şevket Bey Street , Şişli

Dr. Şevket Bey Street , Şişli

House in Cihangir ( February, 2013)

Akarsu Yokuşu Street, Cihangir ( Firuzağa)

After Renovation ( May,2013)

Vedat Tek

(1873, Istanbul -1942, Istanbul )

Vedat Tek House

Valikonağı Caddesi, Nişantaşı ( Şişli )

Valikonağı Caddesi, Nişantaşı ( Şişli )

Valikonağı Caddesi, Nişantaşı ( Şişli )

Hubyar Mosque by Vedat Tek (behind Post Office building)

Aşir Efendi Street, Sirkeci

Aşir Efendi Street, Sirkeci

House in Aksoy Street, Karşıyaka / Izmir

Art Nouveau of Istanbul : an intrinsic language of its own

Seniha Hanım Apartment Şair Nigar Street / Nisantasi

                                                                     Vlora Han

Hamidiye Caddesi, Sirkeci

Lüleci Hendek Street , Tophane / Beyoğlu

Perfect combination of Art Nouveau and National Architecture flourishing meanwhile in the city. One of my favourites !

Lüleci Hendek Street , Tophane / Beyoğlu

Şair Ziya Paşa Caddesi, Galata

A fountain / tap designed by D'aranco, famous Italian architect lived in Istanbul ( 1893- 1909) as the chief architect of Albdulhamid II .I think it is a great contribution for this classical age architectural form and  Islamic tradition. This could create a revival of fountain tradition but it is not possible to encounter other taps with this style in the city.

Probably an atelier in Kurtuluş ( former Greek district called Tatavla ), some figures of Art Nouvea on this humble building attracted me and I think it is very original and different from many other buildings because of its size and function of use.

Savaş Street, Kurtulus

Operatör Raif Bey Street, Şişli

Sadri Alışık Sokak, Beyoğlu

Cumhuriyet Caddesi, Harbiye

 One of the most impressing ornamentation of floral figures and branches in

a small apartment on the way from Taksim to Harbiye-Şişli direction.

The Art Nounveau ornament on the marble makes me think that there might also be a

great facade  before the last renovation (= destruction !!)

                                           
                                                         Samanyolu Sokak, Nişantaşı

Valikonağı Caddesi, Nişantaşı

    The figure of sun on top of the building and the wrought-iron fence makes this
building interesting to me. I will upload pictures captured closer  to show it better.
 Promise !!