ABOUT
Maçka Armory was decreed in 1873 by Sultan Abdulaziz to Sarkis Balyan, the court architect and indeed one of the foremost architects of this time. The building, which was completed in 1875, exhibits the most progressive construction techniques of its period. When it was turned over to ITU in 1955 to be used for educational purposes, the interior was entirely redecorated, yet the exterior kept intact.
Maçka Armory is one of the monumental buildings not only of its period but also of our day. The building has a rectangular plan with two symmetrical courtyards on both sides of the middle axis. The facades also exhibit an axial symmetrical order. The design of the South facade is a tour de force in establishing such an order and articulating it into the urban texture. The entrance emphasizes the official splendour with its monumental doorway, high windows, imperial crests, and balcony. The windows giving onto the balcony on the second floor, the use of which was probably reserved exclusively for the sultan himself, are accentuated by horizontal arches with special profiles. Apart from being an excellent example of Neo-classical architecture, Maçka Armory is also one of the most prominent buildings of Abdulaziz period.
Maçka Armory, which served several purposes such as military academy, armory, and the storage of the Military Museum until it was handed over to İstanbul Technical University in 1955, where it hosted different departments for almost forty years, has been accommodating İstanbul Technical University English Prep Programme since 1993.
Maçka Armory is one of the monumental buildings not only of its period but also of our day. The building has a rectangular plan with two symmetrical courtyards on both sides of the middle axis. The facades also exhibit an axial symmetrical order. The design of the South facade is a tour de force in establishing such an order and articulating it into the urban texture. The entrance emphasizes the official splendour with its monumental doorway, high windows, imperial crests, and balcony. The windows giving onto the balcony on the second floor, the use of which was probably reserved exclusively for the sultan himself, are accentuated by horizontal arches with special profiles. Apart from being an excellent example of Neo-classical architecture, Maçka Armory is also one of the most prominent buildings of Abdulaziz period.
Maçka Armory, which served several purposes such as military academy, armory, and the storage of the Military Museum until it was handed over to İstanbul Technical University in 1955, where it hosted different departments for almost forty years, has been accommodating İstanbul Technical University English Prep Programme since 1993.
CREDITS
Type: Restoration, Employer: İstanbul Technical University, Directorate of Construction and Technical Works, Location: İstanbul, Electricity Subcontractor: Sıraç Elektrik, Mechanical Subcontractor: Prokem Mekanik, Land Area: 13.140 m2, Total Construction Area: 36.000 m2
