Koca Yusuf Efendi Fountain Survey
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Elif Özlem Aydın Oral, Dr. Cem Balcan I Year: June 2022 I Location: Eyüp/Istanbul I Program: Restoration I Software: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino6, Photoshop, Illustrator, Lumion
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This project focuses on the documentation, analysis, and restoration proposal of the Koca Yusuf Efendi Fountain in Eyüpsultan, Istanbul. Due to the lack of a complete archival drawing set, the structure was re-documented through on-site measurements and contextual reconstruction. The project follows a methodical process of survey production, condition analysis, and problem classification, leading to a targeted intervention strategy that preserves the original fabric while addressing material deterioration and non-original additions.
The fountain is located at the intersection of multiple streets, functioning as a micro-scale urban node. Its position exposes it to continuous circulation and uncontrolled edge conditions. The surrounding parcels and street geometry define both its accessibility and its vulnerability to spatial encroachment.
The fountain evolved from an active water infrastructure element in the Ottoman period to a passive urban artifact after the introduction of centralized water systems. Functional obsolescence led to neglect, resulting in physical deterioration. Today, it survives as a fragmented heritage element within a transformed urban system.
The section establishes the structural logic of the fountain, identifying key elements such as niche, spout, basin, and main body. It also reveals the relationship between the structure and ground level through a datum-based reference system. Surface deterioration, material loss, and vandalism are mapped to connect physical conditions with their spatial positions within the structure.
The façade drawings document the current physical condition, including material joints, level differences, and geometric irregularities. These deviations indicate long-term settlement and environmental impact. The structure is further analyzed through material composition, deterioration patterns, and historical layers, distinguishing original elements from later additions. This combined reading defines the intervention zones and supports controlled restoration decisions.
The measured survey was produced through on-site documentation due to the absence of a complete archival drawing set. All dimensions, façade compositions, and structural relations were reconstructed based on field measurements and verified through section and plan consistency. The drawings establish a reliable geometric and spatial reference for subsequent analysis and intervention decisions.
Interventions are defined based on the classification of material and structural problems. The proposal includes cleaning, crack filling, reintegration of missing limestone elements, removal of incompatible additions, and selective reconstruction. Each intervention is applied only where necessary, maintaining the original structure while addressing deterioration and non-original modifications.
The section synthesizes the structural, material, and spatial conditions of the fountain, linking surface-level deterioration with underlying construction logic. It clarifies how the structure interacts with the ground and its immediate context, providing a consolidated basis for intervention decisions. Through this reading, the restoration proposal is grounded in measurable conditions rather than assumptions.
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