Bulgur Palas: A Monumental Urban Heritage of the First National Architectural Style

Nilay Özlü Karaca; A. Tarkan Okçuoğlu; Bağış Kankotan

Makale detayları

Bulgur Palas: A Monumental Urban Heritage of the First National Architectural Style

Yazarlar:

Nilay Özlü Karaca | A. Tarkan Okçuoğlu | Bağış Kankotan

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Dergi:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.488-518

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356353

pISSN:

2148-3582

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 This research analyses the historical and architectural significance of Bulgur Palas, an iconic and monumental example of civil architecture in the Cerrahpaşa district of Istanbul. Commissioned by Bolu Deputy Mehmed Habib Bey, the building is a noteworthy example of the First National Architectural Style. Built as an ostentatious residential complex, the function of Bulgur Palas has transformed throughout time due to war, economic hardships, and social dynamics. Therefore, the building became a symbol of sociopolitical transformations from the late Ottoman era to Republican Turkey. The complex, with its monumental brick façade and unique structural aspects, sheds light on the design principles of its period. Bulgur Palas has recently been repurposed as a cultural center after a comprehensive restoration. This article is composed of three sections. The first part focuses on Habib Bey, the patron of the building and a controversial figure of his time. The second section analyses the parts of the building complex, reveals its construction date and history, and discusses its role in architectural history. The last part is dedicated to the characteristic architectural and decorative program of the structure. In this context, the story of Bulgur Palas and its patron offers a unique narrative of the dissolution of the Ottoman State and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. This study, focusing on a significant component of Istanbuls urban heritage, documents the architectural and historical past of the structure and hopes to become a source for future research.

 This research analyses the historical and architectural significance of Bulgur Palas, an iconic and monumental example of civil architecture in the Cerrahpaşa district of Istanbul. Commissioned by Bolu Deputy Mehmed Habib Bey, the building is a noteworthy example of the First National Architectural Style. Built as an ostentatious residential complex, the function of Bulgur Palas has transformed throughout time due to war, economic hardships, and social dynamics. Therefore, the building became a symbol of sociopolitical transformations from the late Ottoman era to Republican Turkey. The complex, with its monumental brick façade and unique structural aspects, sheds light on the design principles of its period. Bulgur Palas has recently been repurposed as a cultural center after a comprehensive restoration. This article is composed of three sections. The first part focuses on Habib Bey, the patron of the building and a controversial figure of his time. The second section analyses the parts of the building complex, reveals its construction date and history, and discusses its role in architectural history. The last part is dedicated to the characteristic architectural and decorative program of the structure. In this context, the story of Bulgur Palas and its patron offers a unique narrative of the dissolution of the Ottoman State and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. This study, focusing on a significant component of Istanbuls urban heritage, documents the architectural and historical past of the structure and hopes to become a source for future research.

 This research analyses the historical and architectural significance of Bulgur Palas, an iconic and monumental example of civil architecture in the Cerrahpaşa district of Istanbul. Commissioned by Bolu Deputy Mehmed Habib Bey, the building is a noteworthy example of the First National Architectural Style. Built as an ostentatious residential complex, the function of Bulgur Palas has transformed throughout time due to war, economic hardships, and social dynamics. Therefore, the building became a symbol of sociopolitical transformations from the late Ottoman era to Republican Turkey. The complex, with its monumental brick façade and unique structural aspects, sheds light on the design principles of its period. Bulgur Palas has recently been repurposed as a cultural center after a comprehensive restoration. This article is composed of three sections. The first part focuses on Habib Bey, the patron of the building and a controversial figure of his time. The second section analyses the parts of the building complex, reveals its construction date and history, and discusses its role in architectural history. The last part is dedicated to the characteristic architectural and decorative program of the structure. In this context, the story of Bulgur Palas and its patron offers a unique narrative of the dissolution of the Ottoman State and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. This study, focusing on a significant component of Istanbuls urban heritage, documents the architectural and historical past of the structure and hopes to become a source for future research.

 Bu çalışma, İstanbulun Cerrahpaşa semtinde yer alan ikonik ve anıtsal bir sivil mimarlık yapısı olan Bulgur Palasın tarihî ve mimari önemini incelemektedir. 20. yüzyılın başlarında Bolu Mebusu Mehmed Habib Bey tarafından inşa ettirilen yapı, Birinci Ulusal Mimarlık üslubunun önde gelen örneklerinden biridir. Zamanla Osmanlı Devletinden Türkiye Cumhuriyetine geçişin sosyopolitik dönüşümlerini yansıtan bir sembol hâline gelen Bulgur Palas, başlangıçta ihtişamlı bir konut olarak tasarlanmış ancak savaş, ekonomik zorluklar ve toplumsal dinamikler sebebiyle işlevi değişmiştir. Abidevi tuğla cephesi ve özgün yapısal özellikleriyle dönemin tasarım ilkelerine ışık tutan bina, kapsamlı bir restorasyonun ardından kültür merkezi olarak yeniden işlevlendirilmiştir. Makale üç bölümden müteşekkil olup, birinci bölümünde tartışmalı bir figür olan Bulgur Palasın banisi Habib Bey, dönemin tarihî bağlamı içerisinde irdelenmektedir. İkinci bölümde Bulgur Palas yapı kompleksinin bölümleri, yapım yılı, inşa tarihçesi ve mimarlık tarihindeki yeri ve önemi incelenmektedir. Son bölüm ise yapının karakteristik mimari özellikleri ve yarım kalan bezeme programına ayrılmıştır. Bu bağlamda, yapının ve banisinin hikâyesi, Geç Osmanlı Dönemi, Birinci Dünya Savaşı yılları, İstanbulun işgali, Osmanlı Devletinin yıkılışı ve Türkiye Cumhuriyetinin kuruluşuna dair de özgün bir anlatı sunmaktadır. Bu araştırma, yapının mimari ve tarihî anlatısını belgeleyerek gelecekteki çalışmalara kaynak olmayı ve İstanbulun kent mirasının önemli bir parçasını vurgulamayı amaçlamaktadır.

Makale detayları

Bulgur Palas: A Monumental Urban Heritage of the First National Architectural Style

Yazarlar:

Nilay Özlü Karaca | A. Tarkan Okçuoğlu | Bağış Kankotan

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Dergi:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.488-518

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356353

pISSN:

2148-3582

First National Architectural Style

Civil Architecture

Istanbul

2nd Constitutional Era

Architectural History

Bulgur PalasBirinci Ulusal Mimarlık

Sivil Mimari

İstanbul

II. Meşrutiyet

Mimarlık Tarihi

Bulgur Palas

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Nilay Özlü Karaca | A. Tarkan Okçuoğlu | Bağış Kankotan

Yayıncı: Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar: Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Dergi: Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.488-518

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 12/2025

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001356353

pISSN: 2148-3582

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Nilay Özlü Karaca | A. Tarkan Okçuoğlu | Bağış Kankotan

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Görsel Sanatlar (Diğer)

Dergi:

Art-Sanat Issue 24, pp.488-518

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

12/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001356353

pISSN:

2148-3582