metamorphosis museum
The Metamorphosis Museum brings together the historical texture of Yedikule Gasworks with the mystical symbolism of Byzantine columns. Once seen as both structural and spiritual elements, these columns were believed to offer protection. Symbols carved into them by the Byzantine people reflected their hope and faith.
The museum’s concept of "metamorphosis" refers to both the physical transformation of coal into gas and the spiritual transformation rooted in these ancient beliefs. This dual transformation is spatially experienced through a series of programmatic bands that organize the site.
I designed four distinct bands, each continuing across the site in a patterned sequence. These bands not only define circulation and function but also adapt to the characteristics of both existing and new buildings they interact with. Their materiality and layout respond to the context, allowing them to act as a bridge between the past and the present. Through this system, visitors experience metamorphosis both physically and symbolically, as they move along the path of transformation.
Horizontal and vertical circulation paths were designed to ensure easy access for all users, including those with disabilities. Activity bands, though diverse in function, were placed between buildings where people gather the most. The outer zones of the site serve almost like a public park.
The project brings together historical industrial structures and contemporary interventions through a layered architectural language. Transparent additions contrast with the solid existing fabric, emphasizing the dialogue between past and present.
