tophane kasri

William James Smith: British architect at a 19th-century Ottoman court

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William James Smith worked in Istanbul during an era in which the British Empire
had its most powerful times and had strong influence on the Ottoman Empire.
Born in London in 1807, Smith starts his story in Istanbul with a new building which
was to be built after the British Embassy building became unworkable following a
fire in August 1831.

According to the book, in addition to British Embassy building project, Smith also
designed a consulate building in Galata for the British Empire, hospital and prisons
for British sailors, navigation offices and St. Helena Chapel that is located in the
garden of the embassy.

Architectural projects that were carried out in the first 15 years of Sultan Abdülmecid's
reign are largely coherent and consistent with Smith's designs. Especially the Russian
and Dutch embassy buildings or Darülfünun and Reşid Paşa Palace, which were
constructed by Italian architects Gaspare Fossati and his brother Guisseppe Fossati,
bear a resemblance to several works designed by Smith including the British embassy
building, Mecidiye Kışlası and the ibrahim Ethem Paşa Konağı or Kasımpaşa Hospital.

Mecidiye Kışlası, also known as Taşkışla, is one of the most well-known works and architectural designs created by Smith. When construction initially started in 1846, it was designed as a medical school building. As the design won great recognition it paved the way for future design ideas and constructions for Smith.

Tophane-i Amire Hospital (Gümüşsuyu Military Hospital), which was built between 1846 and 1849, and the Bahriye Hospital (Kasımpaşa Naval Hospital), which was built in 1847 are among the most significant designs done by Smith.

Amongst his most meticulous and classicist designs, Smith, upon Sultan Abdulmecid's request, renovated a part of the Selimiye Barracks, and designed and built the Tophane Imperial Kiosk between 1847-1851.

The Seyir Kiosk in Dolmabahçe Palace and the Winter Garden, located right next to it, are also among Smith's most noteworthy designs. His main contribution to the Dolmabahçe Palace is the design and building of the Camlı Köşk (Glass Kiosk).

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