Analyzing the Interior Levels of Natural Lighting in an Early Republican Era Building: An Example from the Laboratories of Ankara Refik Saydam Sanitation Institute Chemistry and Bacteriology Building

Having witnessed changes up to the present day in terms of aesthetics, function, sustainability, and user-space relationships, Ankara has come to prominence through its dynamic structure, and has become the subject of various debates. Along with these changes have come new demands, and the urban landscape has changed day by day as new buildings with different functions have been built. In general, Early Republican Era buildings built between 1920 and 1950 have been the principal subject of such discussions. On the other hand, perspectives on the interior design principles of these buildings have also become a matter of curiosity in different disciplines. Lighting can be listed as one of these design principles. The aim of this study is to analyze the interior spaces of a building built in the past rather than focusing on the architectural design, in order to enhance similar studies. Lighting, as one of the design principles, was selected for the analysis of these interior spaces. This study investigates the levels of natural lighting in the laboratories of the Refik Saydam Sanitation Institute Chemistry Laboratory and Bacteriology Building, which is located in Sıhhiye and has partially been preserved to the present day. These findings are compared and interpreted with the values stated in appropriate sets of standards. The findings and interpretations in this study are limited by the days and times of measurement