Cinnah 19, Ankara (Photo: Duygu Tüntaş, 2019)

Apartment buildings stand out as architectural structures where people spend a significant part of their daily lives, particularly in modern cities. Defined by the Turkish Language Association as “a building usually constructed as a dwelling, with multiple floors and one or more apartments on each floor”, apartment buildings hold considerable importance in terms of urban memory and the history of architecture, particularly in the post-1900 era. On social media, accounts that focus on the cityscape surrounding us and the building units comprising it garner significant interest among users. Often overlooked and ignored amid the urban chaos, apartment buildings take center stage in these accounts. They serve as an alternative city guide, offering a fresh perspective on the cities which individuals live in or visit. For buildings under the threat of demolition or those already razed as part of the nationwide urban transformation process, these accounts serve as crucial archival works, preserving images related to them for the future.

We’ve compiled 10 Instagram accounts that have particularly grabbed our attention, especially those distinguished for documenting apartment buildings and contributing to our collective memory:

 İstanbul Apartmanları (@istanbulapartmanlarii)

The “Istanbul Apartmanları” (Istanbul Apartment Buildings) account, managed by Turan Farajova, a graduate of the Istanbul University Department of Political Science and International Relations, identifies itself as an “Architecture & Urban History Platform”. Since September 2020, Farajova has been sharing his research on urban history, which he initiated in 2014, with followers through his social media account named Istanbul Apartmanları. The book associated with Istanbul Apartmanları, which has gained a substantial following over the years, was published in 2022 and features photographs by M. Serdar Kılıç.

 Kadıköy Apartmanları (@kadikoyapartmanlari)

The Kadıköy Apartmanları (Kadıköy Apartment Buildings) account, managed by Hande Tulum and Efsun Ekenyazıcı Güney, identifies itself as “a collaborative effort focused on documenting the housing texture in Kadıköy”. The account frequently features posts from followers, fostering the creation of a collective urban memory. Additionally, the account shares content related to apartment buildings undergoing demolition as part of urban transformation initiatives. Hande Tulum’s “Fatma Karaca Apartmanı” and Efsun E. Güney’s “Erenköy Palas Apartmanı” are both featured in the 70th issue of Betonart magazine.

 Apartman Deyip Geçme (@apartmandeyipgecme)

“I narrate the historical architecture and stories that make Istanbul unique. If we know, we protect. If we protect, we remain special.” Through her Instagram account named “Apartman Deyip Geçme” (Don’t Underestimate the Apartment Buildings), the journalist Ayşegül Acar showcases buildings that hold a significant place in the city’s memory, incorporating the stories of individuals who have resided in them over the years.

 Ankara Apartmanları (@ankaraapartmanlari)

The Ankara Apartmanları (Ankara Apartment Buildings) account, themed as “Ankara’s History Narrated Through Apartment Buildings”, primarily showcases buildings designed by distinguished architects, especially those constructed after 1920. The account owner, who chooses to keep their identity confidential to maintain independence from the collective memory, summarizes the Ankara Apartmanları Instagram page as follows: “The concept of Ankara Apartmanları began taking shape in the summer of 2011. I started capturing images of the buildings in Aşağı Ayrancı, where my house is located, as they were rapidly undergoing urban transformation. I established the account on the very day when one of the buildings I cherished and aspired to own was demolished. My aim was to construct an archive documenting which buildings were demolished and what replaced them, for those curious. In addition to the visual archive, I envisioned supporting it with oral history as much as possible, creating a city memory. Thus, it evolved into a commemorative project. I share the buildings for which I captured the photographs myself and researched their stories.”*
*https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/ankara/apartmanlarla-ankara-tarihi-41549788

 Ankara Apartmanları (@ankara.apartman)

Ankara Apartmanları (Ankara Apartment Buildings), which began sharing posts on Twitter in November 2015, describes the theme of its content as “The beautiful Ankara of the Republic, its buildings, its memories...” The account showcases the old apartment buildings in various parts of the city, including well-established and bustling locations such as Paris Street, Büklüm Street, Bestekar Street, and Anafartalar Street. The posts, predominantly featuring black and white photographs, are complemented with color photographs of the apartment buildings.

 Ankara Balkon Korkulukları (@ankarabalkonkorkuluklari)

A scientific research project from Yaşar University, titled as “Interactive Digital Exhibits To Experience the Architectural Heritage: The Case of Balcony Balustrades of Ankara (1950-1975)”, focuses on iconic balcony parapets in the capital city. The project also includes interviews with various architects as part of the research.

 İzmir Apartmanları (@izmir.apartmanlari)

In line with the description “Reading Izmir’s history from today – A guide to the past to preserve our urban memory and cultural heritage”, the İzmir Apartmanları (Izmir Apartment Buildings) account shares photographs of buildings that hold a significant place in urban memory, including mansions, bazaars, inns, and apartment buildings. The posts, which often feature detailed descriptions of the buildings, including information such as the architect and the year of construction, provide a comprehensive selection from Urla to Bornova.

 Şehrin Panoları (@sehrinpanolari)

Şehrin Panoları (City Panels), “An Digital Archive Project Covering Ceramic and Mosaic Panels of Turkey”, showcases abstract ceramic panel works primarily found on apartment building facades and entrances throughout the country.

 Londra Apartmanları (@londraapartmanlari)

Londra Apartmanları (London Apartment Buildings), describing its content as “prominent buildings from the architectural texture of London and improvised stories about the capital city(s)...”, shares buildings with its followers on its Instagram account, providing information about the architects, the years of construction, and short informative descriptions.

 Apartment Therapy (@apartmenttherapy)

The Apartment Therapy account, focusing on apartments’ interior designs, primarily shares posts from apartments located in the US, Canada, and Australia. In addition to the exclusive content where homeowners introduce their apartments, users’ posts with the hashtag #apartmenttherapy can also be found on the account’s page.