RECONSTRUCTION OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS: THE CASE OF BULENT ECEVIT MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND MEYAN BOTANICAL CAFE, ADANA (TURKIYE)

Architectural structures are significant cultural heritage elements that reflect the social, cultural, and economic characteristics of their time.The preservation of these structures is crucial for the sustainability of cultural heritage.The preservation of historical buildings goes beyond physical restoration; it also involves making these buildings functional and integrating them into contemporary life.In this context, "adaptive reuse" emerges as one of the key conservation approaches.This study addresses the adaptive reuse process of the historical mansion, registered as building No. 99 in the inventory, located in the Tepeba district of Adana.The project aims not only to restore the building physically but also to revitalize the region's cultural life and create a sustainable tourism destination.The study examines the spatial and functional transformation of the mansion, evaluating the effects of the conservation and adaptive reuse efforts on the culture of Tepeba.The building has been repurposed as a museum and caf, offering visitors a more comprehensive experience of the region's history, cultural heritage, and gastronomic values.Additionally, the project includes the reinterpretation and promotion of alama, a traditional local drink made from licorice root, adapting it to contemporary tastes and gastronomic values.This approach aims to establish a holistic relationship between the building's new functions and cultural and gastronomic heritage.The study analyzes adaptive reuse practices through literature review, archival research, and on-site detection studies, focusing on the spatial-function relationship.The adaptive reuse of the 99th mansion in Kayalbalar, one of Adana's historical areas, is examined in detail, with the changes brought about by this process being investigated, evaluated, and documented.