ART MUSEUM ARCHITECTURE AS DISCOURSE: DIFFERENTIATING INSTITUTIONAL IDENTITIES IN ISTANBUL

This study examines how three contemporary and modern art museums in Istanbul differentiate themselves through architectural discourse to reflect their institutional identities and missions. Istanbul Museum of Painting and Sculpture, a state museum affiliated with Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, positions itself as a guardian of Turkey’s artistic heritage by emphasising urban memory and adaptive reuse. Istanbul Modern, supported by the Eczacıbaşı Group, highlights its role as Turkey’s first modern and contemporary art museum through a transparent and site-specific architectural form that connects with the Bosphorus and the urbanscape. Arter, backed by the Koç Group, distinguishes itself as a cultural platform focused on inclusivity, permeability, and integration with the Dolapdere neighbourhood. The study examines these institutions' architecture and reviews their institutional narratives and discourses. Finally, it conducts a comparative analysis of their architectural features and design strategies. The findings identify common themes and highlight differences in institution structures and societal roles, illuminating how each museum negotiates its architectural identity and uniquely contributes to Istanbul's evolving cultural and urban fabric.