Esma Sultan Mansion

Istanbul, Türkiye

A multipurpose event space in the Ortaköy district of Istanbul, built inside the ruins of a brick palace that was built in 1875 by architect Sarkis Balyan for Esma Sultan, sister of Sultan Abdülaziz.

The incorporated structure is built out of steel and glass within the original brick exterior. The glass box is tethered to the walls with suspension rods, which ensure that the structures remain equidistant from each other and are able to withstand bad weather and earthquakes. The building is set on several levels and includes a bar, a restaurant, and an event hall.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture