Karaköy to Galataport: A Case Study of Sterile Architecture's Effects

Abstract

The concept of "sterility" emerged in the early twentieth century in conjunction with modernist thought, initially associated with notions of hygiene, health, and cleanliness. In architecture, modernism introduced rational and universal design principles, promoting order, uniformity, and an authoritative design language aimed at constructing idealized environments. This led to the proliferation of standardized, homogeneous, and ostensibly flawless structures—what this study defines as "sterile architecture." This paper explores the implicit presence of this concept within architectural discourse, critically examining its urban and spatial implications. It aims to foster a discussion on how sterile architecture contributes to urban transformation processes through the lenses of universalization, simplification, detachment, and authoritarianism. The Galataport Project, developed from the former Karaköy Salıpazarı port area in Istanbul, serves as the case study. The research incorporates site observations, photography, and schematic documentation. In addition, a survey targeting professionals, including architects, academics, and graduate students, was conducted to evaluate human-space interactions shaped by the transformation. The findings, derived from both quantitative and qualitative data, are analyzed across three dimensions: physical, social, and perceptual, highlighting the project's multifaceted impacts on urban life.