Lecturer

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Turgut Saner
 

Content

Cities always harbor abandoned structures and ruins within their living fabric. These represent scarred memories within the city's consciousness. There are also buildings that have vanished entirely, whether in the distant or recent past. These survive in the collective memory for only a few generations before perhaps being forgotten altogether. Some, however, are resurrected through reconstructions following intense debate. The reasons for their disappearance are varied; undoubtedly, wars are the primary cause, and unfortunately, they remain a relevant issue today. 

This course focuses on the stories of buildings’ disappearance, the ways they are remembered, and the virtue of remembrance. In the initial weeks, Istanbul—a city that has not experienced war destruction yet has lost a vast number of its buildings—will be presented as a case study. This study examines those prominent buildings and urban districts lost through willful destruction, uprisings, fires and modernization measures. It explores the significance these lost structures once held and investigates the impact they would have on the current cityscape had they survived.

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the social and architectural coherence of cities, while raising awareness of lost architectural heritage and the significance of memory studies within the field of architecture. Research topics will be open to cities and specific case studies globally. Students will conduct history research and develop narratives and discussions regarding their chosen structures, projecting these buildings into the present-day cityscape using 3D modeling or various other tools. The results will be presented in an exhibition.

First Meeting

Wednesday 13:45 – 17:00
Start: 22.04.2026

Timing and Location

Lehrgebäude 2A - A0.03 

Study program

Heritage Conservation and Site Management (11646)
World Heritage Studies (37410, 37411)
Bau- u. Kunstgeschichte (14222)