Heritage Recording and Information Management Lab

Heritage Recording and Information Management Lab was established as the first Photogrammetry Laboratory in Türkiye and has continuously updated its infrastructure and technical capacity over time in line with emerging methods and technologies (such as geographic information systems, digital photogrammetry, and 3D laser scanning technologies). Since its foundation, the laboratory has carried out studies particularly on the recording, documentation, and analysis of cultural heritage using innovative techniques, developed new methodologies, and implemented numerous projects. In recognition of these qualifications, the laboratory was designated as a "Centre of Excellence" by TÜBİTAK in 1988. It plays an active role by updating infrastructure for heritage recording, training conservation specialists in Türkiye, raising public awareness, and contributing to the development of conservation processes according to scientific standards.

Staffed by experts in architectural documentation and information management, the Lab maintains a rich visual archive developed through graduate studies and research projects, including 3D point cloud and photogrammetric models of cultural heritage sites across Türkiye, along with historical photographs and glass plate negatives.

The Heritage Recording and Information Management Lab's long-term vision is to become a leading centre of excellence in the digital documentation of the built environment through next-generation technologies. Its objectives include the production of knowledge and systems through innovative methods for the digital documentation of the built environment in fields such as cultural heritage conservation, smart cities, artificial intelligence, big data, and virtual reality.

Materials Conservation and Research Laboratory

The Materials Conservation and Research Laboratory (MCRL), which is an academic extension of the Conservation of the Cultural Heritage Graduate Program, was established in the early 1960s, as an educational and research laboratory. Once an independent academic unit, "Department of Restoration" is now a center for excellence in research and education for the preservation of the built environment as MCL has become an internationally acclaimed research center in time for the development of scientific conservation studies and the improvement of conservation practices. MCL aims at diagnostic analyses of historic structures and materials for the active decay factors and sources, development of conservation treatments, selection and preparation of compatible repair materials, and the establishment of maintenance and monitoring programs for historic structures. MCL has more than thirty years of experience on-site and laboratory investigations of historic structures in Turkey. It has been the task of the laboratory to study the technological properties of historical building materials and their problems for the purpose of their conservation. In 2003, the Graduate Program restructured itself in complying with the contemporary paradigms of higher education and the cutting-edge research as it has begun to recruit non-architect graduates from different disciplines and fields; starting from 2007-2008 Fall Semester, the graduates of four-year-degree programs are also eligible.