‘Izmirian’ touch to sanatorium in Ankara

Asst. Prof. Dr. Deniz Avcı Hosanlı, Lecturer at Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, Izmir University of Economics (IUE) and Cansu Değirmencioğlu, PhD candidate from the Chair of Architecture at the Technical University of Munich, prepared a project that examines the Ataturk (Keçiören) Sanatorium, which was established in Ankara about 70 years ago for the treatment of tuberculosis patients, from an architectural, historical and social perspective. The research project, which will bring the historical sanatorium to light scientifically, was deemed worthy of an award by Koç University Vehbi Koç Ankara Studies Application and Research Center (VEKAM). Asst. Prof. Dr. Avcı Hosanlı and Değirmencioğlu will complete the project with the support provided by VEKAM within the scope of the award.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Deniz Avcı Hosanlı and PhD candidate Cansu Değirmencioğlu will complete the project titled, ‘Between Medicine and Architecture in Turkey at the Mid-Century: Ankara's Atatürk Sanatorium’ in 2 years.

ONE OF 3 PROJECTS

The project, prepared for the sanatorium, one of the most important cultural heritages of Ankara, will also guide the studies to reveal Turkey's sanatorium heritage. Stating that they are one of the 3 projects that received an award from VEKAM and were entitled to be supported throughout Turkey, Asst. Prof. Dr. Avcı Hosanlı shared information about the work they will carry out. Asst. Prof. Dr. Avcı Hosanlı said, “In 2022, we prepared a project with Cansu Değirmencioğlu and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Orçun Kepez titled ‘Architecture of Healing: Mapping Turkey's Sanatorium Heritage’, and we won the Modern Architecture Research Award supported by the Architects' Association 1927. In our latest work, we expanded the scope of this project and focused on only one building in particular.”

AN IMPORTANT ARCHIVE WILL BE CREATED

Stating that the sanatorium is currently used actively as a state hospital, Asst. Prof. Avcı Hosanlı said, “The sanatorium, located in the Keçiören district of Ankara, is also the first sanatorium established by the state in Ankara. This historical building has many features and values both in terms of design and medico-social aspects. We wanted to examine all of these from a scientific point of view and to carry out a study that would leave a mark on history. While the sanatoriums were being built, the architectural designs were also taken into consideration during the treatment process of the patients. For example, care was taken to ensure that there were large balconies, that the rooms were airy, and that the ceilings were high. It is possible to give more examples. In our project, we will create an important archive by examining all the architectural, historical and social features of the sanatorium in Ankara. Our project will also be an important source for other sanatoriums in our country.”

METICULOUSLY EXAMINED

Prof. Dr. Avcı Hosanlı said, “We will visit Ankara frequently to examine the sanatorium in detail and conduct field and archive studies. We will also examine the medico-social dimensions of the spatiality of the building. In our project, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of our Republic, we will also address Atatürk Sanatorium in the context of the social, cultural and political agenda of the period. VEKAM determines the award-winning projects through a rigorous evaluation among a large number of applications. The awarded research projects are supported by VEKAM. We have had a great opportunity to realize this project that we have been dreaming of for a while.”