Trabzon Çömlekçi Renovation

Located in Ortahisar—the historical core and most populous district of Trabzon—this comprehensive urban regeneration project reinterprets the city’s layered identity by weaving together its historical heritage, natural topography, and contemporary urban life. Stretching from the Black Sea coast to the steep ridges inland, Ortahisar is home to centuries-old structures such as the Trabzon Museum, Tabakhane Bridge, Gülbahar Hatun Mosque, Atatürk Pavilion, and the iconic Ayasofya. These historical anchors guide the design vision throughout.

The project site is positioned southeast of the Trabzon Port, with easy access via the D010 highway and close proximity to Trabzon Airport (4 km) and the intercity bus terminal (1.5 km). Responding to the site’s steep terrain, the masterplan introduces a terraced settlement strategy that follows natural elevation changes to maintain a human scaled silhouette.

Design Strategies Rooted in Urban Memory and Cultural Continuity

• Preservation of Street Networks: Existing street patterns are retained to protect collective memory and orientation.
• Protected Heritage Structures: Registered buildings are preserved and integrated into new public plazas, revealing the historical atmosphere.
• New Fabric Inspired by the Past: New buildings surrounding heritage assets are designed with sensitivity to scale, texture, and rhythm drawn from the historical context.

Seven Zones – Integrated Yet Distinct

Zone 1 – Historic Bazaar Revival
Revitalization of the commercial heart through restored pathways and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings creates an organic, walkable marketplace experience.

Zone 2 – Intimate Café & Dining Quarter
A network of narrow streets accommodates local cafés and restaurants, encouraging exploration and creating a lively, small-scale commercial fabric.

Zone 3 – Residential-Commercial Interface with Educational Core
Residential and commercial units coexist along active boulevards, connected through green buffers. A centrally placed educational facility anchors the community.

Zone 4 – Heritage-Centered Living Cluster
Surrounding a central registered structure, housing and retail units form a plaza integrated with green space.

Zone 5 – Preserved Historical Housing Area
Entirely composed of listed residential structures, this zone is reprogrammed for housing while protecting its unique architectural character.

Zone 6 – Blended Transition Zone
Heritage buildings facing main streets are given commercial functions, while internal green spaces mediate between housing and retail uses.

Zone 7 – Historic Trade Quarter
Composed of heritage buildings reprogrammed exclusively for commercial use, maintaining the district’s identity as a place of trade.

Through a context aware approach that preserves, adapts, and reimagines, the project reestablishes Ortahisar not only as a living memory of Trabzon’s history, but as an evolving and layered urban core.