Arda’s final project, titled “The Anarcheological Dialectics, aims to explore possible variations of integrating the historical land wall system of Istanbul into contemporary flows. The project is located on the outer periphery of the Historical Peninsula of İstanbul where the Byzantine land walls enclose its border. Although it is currently a UNESCO Heritage site, the wall system fails to maintain structural and social integrity. The project stands out with its integration of the historic city walls with a contemporary urban identity. Considering the seismic history of the city and the structural weakness of the walls, the project proposes structures that support the crumbling walls from the outside where they act as ‘exoskeletons’. It brings on the term ‘anarcheology’ which envisions the integration of anarchical/un-archeological additions. By introducing a new path of pedestrian circulation to the existing wall line, it aims to transform the walls into a public venue within the modern urban context, deconsThus, the re-imagined spaces expand from the structures that stabilize the walls to form platforms, terraces, decks, and towers. Through the use of additional structures and lightweight lines, the contrast between the new and old becomes immediately apparent. The project offers a bold step toward the integration of Istanbul’s city walls into contemporary urban practices, rather than remaining only as a historical monument.

The project is an outcome of the Spring 2023 project led by Prof. Dr. Hayriye Eşbah Tunçay and Assist. Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Akçay Kavakoğlu. We warmly congratulate Arda on his remarkable achievement and for representing our department at an international level with great success.