Learning Hub in Istanbul is an individual graduation project located in Şehzadebaşı, Fatih, a district shaped by dense historical, cultural, and urban layers. The project focuses on preserving the social, economic, and cultural values of the area while introducing a new learning environment that reconnects fragmented public spaces.

At the center of the proposal is a connecting structure that enables the adaptive reuse of İbrahim Pasha Madrasa and establishes a continuous relationship between the madrasa, Kalenderhane Mosque, the adjacent square, and the metro. An underground exhibition space becomes the main spatial link, allowing the project to reduce its visible footprint while creating a new public threshold below the city.

The design transforms the fragmented square into a social connector. Walking paths, entrances, workshops, retail spaces, and gathering areas are reorganized to support both local daily life and educational activity. High-traffic areas are used for public and social programs, while classrooms and learning spaces are placed on upper floors or quieter zones according to their need for daylight and privacy.

The architectural language draws from the fluidity and continuity of Istanbul’s historical aqueducts and decking systems. Continuous pathways guide movement through the building, while exterior elements create visual communication between old and new. The façade incorporates reflective billboard-like panels as a contemporary reference to Direklerarası and Ferah Theater, bringing the cultural memory of the area into the project’s public identity.

The project proposes a careful balance between heritage, education, and urban life. By preserving historical structures, minimizing demolition, and placing part of the program underground, Learning Hub in Istanbul creates a civic learning environment that connects past and present through movement, culture, and public space.