GÖN DERİ FABRİKASI-II
Gaziosmanpaşa/İstanbul ︎ 1992 ︎ Construction Area: 4.032 m2 ︎ Site: 10.000 m2 ︎ Industrial ︎ Nevzat Sayın, Tülay Atabey
![]()
Gaziosmanpaşa/İstanbul ︎ 1992 ︎ Construction Area: 4.032 m2 ︎ Site: 10.000 m2 ︎ Industrial ︎ Nevzat Sayın, Tülay Atabey









The text I wrote for the first building started with: "Just as there are 'very special things' in people's lives, there are also very special structures in the lives of architects. This is my very special building. Even if I were to build 'better' ones in the future, I believe this sentiment will not change" (Tasarım 1992/05-24th issue).
The first structure was built in 1990. Analysing the previous structure and production relationships facilitated and improved the solution of many points of discussion. Flexibility became one of the main features, and when we evaluated the material, method, cost-effectiveness and employer demands together; it was obvious that it should be a structure that should be completed and start working within 12 months. No contractor company was willing to build this structure at such prices and in such a period of time. We established an ‘executive committee’ of four people and undertook the implementation. This core team of four people, consisting of the owner's representative, architect, construction organisation and manager and financing officer, completed the building by carrying all the authorities and responsibilities of a contractor company from the beginning to the end. Moreover, we managed to lower the anticipated costs and completed it within a full 12 months. By eliminating the distinction between rough construction and fine construction, we ensured that everything was done at once. Through careful and meticulous work, we attempted to build properly from the outset rather than adopting a 'fix it later' mentality, and we succeeded. Everything; floors, walls, ceilings were used gross as they came out of the mould. When we removed the ‘construction items’ such as screed, plaster, coating, etc.; we removed the moulds, installed the joinery; the building was finished. We carried the same understanding to all points of the building. Everything related to stairs, elevators, handrails, electricity, and plumbing was prepared in workshops during rough construction and then installed in place. In order to overcome the problems that may arise from the floor height limitations arising from the zoning status, galleries and holes forming large gaps were left. While this solved the problems related to height, it also enabled the air inside to be cleaned in a place where leather is processed. What looks like a closed box from the outside is almost non-existent from the inside. Inside, there is nothing but a void containing the planes on which people and machines stand. There is almost nothing in the building except for the essentials. In its outlines, the second structure, which was designed together with the first structure, but whose fiction was created over time, resembles a real industrial building with the tools/equipment and employees that have come out of the first one, discarded its excesses, and entered into it. And Gön - once again - remains ‘very special’ for me.
Related Links
︎︎︎Archiscop
︎︎︎Yapı Dergisi