A research paper co-authored by Research Assistant Merve Arslan Çinko of IMU Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture with Assoc.Prof. Zeynep Eres (ITU) titled “Kars’ta Bir Rus Dönemi Yapısının Cumhuriyet Döneminde Endüstri Yapısına Dönüşümü: Süt Tozu Fabrikası Ve Korunmasına Yönelik Öneriler” (A Study on the Transformation of a Russian Structure Into Industrial Facility in the Republic Period in Kars: Milk Powder Factory and Suggestions for Conservation) was published in the 24th issue of TUBA-KED Turkish Academy of Sciences Journal of Cultural Inventory.
In their study, ÇİNKO and ERES examined the changes that a building built by the Russians in the 19th century in Kars underwent during the Republican Period, its transformation process into an industrial structure, and the periods when it was used as a Milk Powder Factory. By determining the current status of the cultural heritage, the changes it has undergone in the historical process have been revealed in the light of various archival documents, written and oral sources. The authors have made suggestions to ensure the sustainability of the cultural heritage which has been idle for nearly fifty years. They suggested to carry out a comprehensive restoration in order to preserve the physical integrity of the building and to give it a new function that would increase public use. They also made suggestions for the building to be used as a ‘City Museum’. Considering the architectural configuration and physical structure of the building, suggestions were presented for exhibiting important elements of the city under different themes such as the history of the city, the milk powder factory and its production process, railway heritage and history, social history, and urban economy, and also organization of children’s workshops.
Although it is not known what kind of effects the building, which has been standing for about 120 years, will be exposed to, the re-functioning of the Old Milk Powder Factory as a museum, the preservation of this cultural property and the use of the public property for the public benefit were encouraged. One of the important outputs of the study was the preservation of the building by presenting new usage proposals, as well as contributing to a sustainable history and city.
You can read the article here.