Molla Yegan Medrese Refubrishment Project

Architectural Design and Construction: Esen Esen Architecture
Lead Architects: Esin Esen
Architectural Photographer: Hacer Bozkurt

Located in the southern hills of Yıldırım neighborhood; Molla Yegan Medrese Building’s history dates back to 14th century, when the historic city Bursa became a part of Ottoman reign. The Medrese is named after Molla Yegan, a scholar from the 15th century Bursa, who restorated, maintained and teached at the building.

Neglected after the 19th century, The building was registered in 1956, with a note underlining its
value in architectural history with its unique character and plan scheme. However, it was neglected for another 60 years, until it went through a comprehensive restoration process between 2006-2009; and used as a restaurant until 2015.

In 2018, Yıldırım Municipality foreseed another refubrishment project, to renovate and re-function the medrese and municipal service building on the south, and to reconsider the small square between the two buildings.

When starting the Project, our main concern was to establish a relation between the neighborhood and the medrese building, while cultivating medrese’s place in the rich history of Bursa. Therefore, we decided to design the building as a space for learning, to connect the building’s memory to the present. In this regard, we gave the prioirty to children of the Yıldırım neighborhood, to convey the medrese’s 700 years of heritage.

The medrese and the municipal building is designed dedicated to children’s education, while the
public spaces became a meeting point for the parents and citizens. Medrese cells’ unique character enabeld us to arrange them as specialized areas for kids with different age groups, and the courtyard space between the cells was planned as a common learning area, a gathering space for teachers, staff, and pupils, similar to its traditional use.

The newly added transparent glass roof above the courtyard found its form by imitating the roof
slopes of the medrese building. It conncects the dersane area and the cells with a portico. The front surface of the portico walls was retracted to emphasize the courtyard and two branches of the medrese cells, to enable the medrese and the new courtyard space co-exist, when reflecting their unique character.

The existing municipal building on the West is reserved for parents education. A cafetaria is also
added on the ground floor, to serve the public. The small square is designed as a playground and
leisure area.