Halki Theological School

The site of Halki Seminary, originally the Monastery, founded by Partriarch Photius I (837-866) almost a thousand years before the school was established on Heybeliada, one of the princes’ islands, just off the coast of Istanbul. Including the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, the facilities consist of classrooms for the high-school and theological academy, dormitories, workshop and meeting rooms, an infirmary, a hospice, offices, accommodation units, recreational and sports areas, and the library. Respecting the historical structure in its different states of preservation, the restoration of the existing is driven by the idea that the original structure is emphasized in its spatial context and original materiality – the new reflects the lost without imitating it, whilst all the gaps in the existing structure were filled in without competing with the existing structure. Classrooms meeting current and future academic and technological needs are designated to be on the high entrance floor; the high school units located on the left and academy units on the right wing of the U-shaped structure. This floor houses studies, meeting rooms and group rooms as well. The right wing of the first floor mainly serves as bedrooms for teachers and dormitories for students take place on the base of the U-shape. Between two wings, the seminary is positioned next to the dorm. Along the corridor on the left wing, there are accommodation units for bishops and priests. The private residence unit for the Patriarch is placed on edge of the left wing, facing towards the sea. Once idle, the roof floor is allocated for the (18) guest rooms with terraces. The semi-basement floor houses the library and staff rooms on the left wing; storage, dining hall and kitchen are located on the right wing. Besides the renovation of the existing structure and its spaces, in place of the old kitchen, which is a poor-quality structure at present, a new auditorium is annexed to the right wing of the U-shaped main building. The roof of the lounge of the new auditorium benefited as the elongation of the terrace of the academy on the first floor. Envisaged as a meeting place, the lobby/lounge is designed with a capacity of a coffee open to public. The wall on the front facade of the historical building is extended using the same old brick and stone material. Mixing materials adds rich possibilities for patterning whilst the mix of textures gains a contemporary look, as well. Regarding compatibility of these materials, reusing the old and is an aesthetic decision. In harmony with landscaping, extended masonry forming the walls of the auditorium simultaneously outlines the back wall of the lobby that directly connects to open views and the garden. Framed with retractable transparent walls, the greenhouse-like structure establishes an almost invisible, latent structure as part of the landscape and the historic building. Beyond the school, there is a lively garden, stretching over the Hill of Hope; outdoor landscape, may be benefited for promenade, recreational areas, and sports activities.