Reasons for deterioration of historical buildings and the significance of memory in the adaptive reuse process of architectural heritage: case study of Saint Vincent de Paul school in Istanbul

Architectural heritage can deteriorate for various reasons related to human interventions or natural causes. Especially buildings constructed with materials such as brick and stone are more likely to experience a few user and use changes in their lifetimes, which would result in interventions. While some of the changes can be prepared and controlled by experts, some can happen without necessary supervision due to the longterm transformations and social dynamics. However, in both cases, it can cause damage to a building. Especially when a structure is the heritage of a different era or a different culture, and society has already changed, even the interventions performed by experts can be inappropriate. In this study, the restoration and adaptive reuse project of the St. Vincent de Paul French School in Istanbul was analyzed to gain insight into the reasons for its deterioration and to determine the outcomes of the project.