Daniele Savasta, Zeynep Tuna Ultav, Gokhan Keskin
- Presents how a digital collection is translated/visualized within a computation interface for the study of collections named Grouper.
- Considers Ankara balconies balustrades as ephemera and observes them through a speculative realism lens.
The case of “Ankara balconies balustrade 1950-75” is a collection to digitize and preserve which poses challenges for its visualization. Architectural buildings are commonly regarded as lasting artifacts and not associated with the transient program of ephemera. However, in a rapidly transforming urban fabric architecture and its components disappear in a relatively short time. This disappearance discards rich baggage of memories and socio-cultural references of the community. Within this unique lens, architectural elements might be observed as ephemera and worth observation and preservation through digital collections. In this study, we take into consideration a particular architectural element, the balcony balustrade, to examine its role in modern architecture in Turkey and its effect in shaping the city and the image of a neighborhood to its citizens. The richness of the collection, around 2000 samples, the related data, and the intrinsic value of the collection enticed a research project*. As a result, we see this case as a trial in approaching data visualization and interface for cultural heritage collections through a speculative realism lens and the conceptualization of architecture (elements) as ephemera, a way to open new possibilities in exploring other artifacts as objects. (Scientific Research Project [BAP086] entitled “Interactive Digital Exhibits To Experience Architectural Heritage: The Case of Balcony Balustrades of Ankara (1950-1975)”)[/interactive-digital-exhibits-ankara] was funded by Yaşar University.
Sixteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices, Newcastle, Australia, 19 - 21 January 2022, (Summary Text)