The Role of Materials in the Design of Extensions for Historic Buildings: Use of Glass

Abstract

The method of reusing existing historical buildings by refunctioning instead of meeting the changing needs of society over time with new constructions has been defined as an urban conservation strategy and an architectural principle, especially in the second half of the 20th century. This transformation and change mean meeting the old with the new, the traditional with the modern, and the past with the future. One of the most preferred methods in re-functioning is to make an extension to the historical building with a functional change. Extension structures can be located on the roof or a facade of historical buildings, or they can be built by forming an outer shell or completing the historical structure without touching the historical buildings. Glass materials are frequently used when extension construction methods are used in refunctionalized buildings. Within the scope of the study, the use of glass in the extension and the method of adding to the historical building were examined through five examples of purpose, size, transparency, and reflectivity.