Perks of being an Istanbulite
The City from a Different Perspective
Although Istanbul is known for its panoramic beauty, an architecture student sees more than just that. Living in Istanbul for five years, proved that the city is compact with layers of architectural works from every historical era there is.
Learning theoretically about the history of arts and architecture at school tends to be monotonous. Yet, when it comes to being in Istanbul, you perceive how architecture has evolved. You learn about column types, loadbearing domes, colorful gothic windows, and more by just walking down the streets.
If you are an architecture student based in Istanbul, I urge you to consider the following suggestions.
Make weekly visits to Istanbul’s famous landmarks.
Take the space in. Feel the textures of the walls and the floors (try doing that without anyone seeing you, it could be a bit weird).
Try to identify the used materials and make notes of them. This will enrich your knowledge of materials.
Do some sketches (Always have a sketchbook with you). Observe keenly and study every detail.
Write down the feelings you had, the atmosphere you sensed when you entered the interior. Be aware of everything. You are not only studying a building in a visit. You are seeing how you interact with it.
Observation is a key skill that any architect must well-attain because it is self-motivated and self-instructive.
Stroll down the streets.
This will strengthen your urban observation as well as better understand the existing symbiotic relationship between buildings and people. This skill once properly nurtured heightens your architectural critical thinking.
You will understand how people interact within their built environment. You will realize that people’s behavior is influenced by their surroundings. You will also see how people stigmatize neighborhoods. If it’s a slum their faces contract and if it’s a trendy boulevard those frowns vanish.
Urban observation overlaps with many behavioral, economic, and social issues. Once you figure that out, those strolls become more enjoyable and awakening.
Photography. Even if it is just with your phone’s camera.
Don’t let yourself down if you do not have a professional camera. It is about the technique - not the gadget. I use my Iphone’s camera the whole time and it works just fine.
Try to capture shots from smartly selected perspective points that reflect comprehension of the people, facades, and interiors. Take photos at any time of the day. This will improve your space perception within a time frame.
You can practice photography as a pastime and nurture it as a skill too. Architectural photography can come in handy as a side job.
The first time I came to Istanbul, I felt that it was too chaotic and mismatched, but it did mesmerize me. It still does.
I have always perceived a city as a metaphorical representation of how life is supposed to be. Unexpected, illogical, and bittersweet but absolutely worth the trouble.
