Hasty redevelopment in Kocaeli following a 1999 earthquake resulted in a vast residential area with no socio-cultural facilities. At its heart were the ruins of the mid-16th-century Kazikli Caravanserai, a stop on the Silk Road route from Istanbul. Both cultural needs and conservation challenges were met by the adaptation of the historic stone structure for contemporary use. A fireplace and alcove were reconstructed on one wall, but the rest was stabilised in its existing form. A freestanding earthquake-resistant structure of steel and laminated timber was built within, as a venue for theatrical productions, symposia and other events. The raised hipped roof follows the eaves line of the original building, with the addition of a 5-metre overhang above the stone walls.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture