Designing within a protected heritage site demands more than creativity — it requires patience, precision, and deep respect for history. In 2023, Neowe was invited to reimagine a façade system situated directly beneath one of the historic arches in Istanbul’s Fişekhane complex. This was not simply an interior fit-out; it was a balancing act between architectural preservation, modern usability, brand expression, and official heritage oversight.
The original vaulted structure — a striking stone arch shaped by time and craft — was to remain completely untouched. From the outset, our priority was to develop a system that respected this structure’s integrity in both form and function. The entire intervention was conceived as a self-supporting façade, anchored solely into the lateral masonry walls, never making contact with the historic arch stones. A continuous air gap was preserved between the arch and the new structure — not just as a technical decision, but as a symbolic one, allowing the past and present to coexist without interference.
This sensitive design process unfolded in constant dialogue with the Anıtlar Kurulu (Council of Monuments). Their involvement was not a final checkpoint but a collaborative rhythm that informed every decision along the way. All drawings, materials, and design strategies were reviewed and approved through formal presentations, ensuring full compliance with heritage protection guidelines.
In such a layered project, visual clarity became our most important tool. Every drawing was produced with meticulous care, and every design change was immediately reflected in updated realistic render images. These weren’t just internal visuals — they were critical instruments for communicating intention, both to the Council and to our client. Since physical modifications on-site were limited and the structure itself couldn’t be touched, our ability to convey the atmosphere, proportions, and material transitions relied entirely on precise, continuously updated visualizations. In this sense, drawings and renders became the architecture itself — the only language we had to tell the story before it was built.
Even minor revisions — a shift in finish, a light detail, a color calibration — were re-rendered to keep communication accurate and transparent. This level of attention ensured that when approvals were given, they were based on exactly what would be constructed, with no surprises or compromises on-site.
Visually, the design speaks in two voices: one rooted in preservation, the other in brand storytelling. While the structural restraint respects the space’s history, the color palette and materials were chosen to express the contemporary identity of the venue. Contrary to many traditional restoration approaches, we intentionally embraced bright, fresh tones — aligned with the brand’s visual language — rather than muted or earthy hues. Despite their vibrancy, these colors were carefully curated to remain in harmony with the historic environment, creating contrast without disruption.
The kitchen and service openings were carefully designed to follow the formal rhythm of the surrounding vaults. These mirrored curves offer visual continuity and structural logic, rooting the new intervention in the architectural language of the past. At the center of the composition, a custom-designed wallpaper beneath the arch creates a bold focal point, guiding the viewer’s eye upward and visually framing the arch’s full span. It celebrates the architectural heritage rather than concealing it — an approach that defines our ethos at Neowe.
To amplify the spatial definition of the arch, we introduced a continuous light band beneath the vault’s curve. This subtle element casts a warm wash of light upward, accentuating the texture of the stone and gently separating the old from the new. It’s not just a functional gesture, but a poetic one — drawing attention to the structure’s historic weight without overshadowing it.
This project, in many ways, was a study in boundaries: between modernity and heritage, permanence and lightness, visibility and discretion. For our team at Neowe, it wasn’t just a matter of aesthetics or client satisfaction. It was about building a bridge between eras — through form, finish, and process — without ever setting foot on the stones that came before us. With every drawing, every carefully placed screw, and every reflected glow of light, we asked the same question: How can we add to this place without taking anything away?
