BURSA/YENİŞEHİR’DE BRÜTALİST BİR ANIT: DOSAN KONSERVE FABRİKASI

A BRUTALIST MONUMENT IN BURSA / YENİŞEHİR:

DOSAN CANNING FACTORY

267

Architect Aydın Boysan, who graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in 1945, occu-

pies a distinctive position in twentieth-century Turkish architectural history through his

innovative contributions to industrial architecture, structural design, construction tech-

nologies, and prefabrication practices. Although his professional oeuvre encompasses a wide range of

building typologies, industrial facilities constitute one of the most significant domains through which

his architectural identity can be understood. Boysan approached architecture as a discipline grounded

in rational thinking, technical knowledge, and constructive logic. According to his understanding,

materiality and structural systems form the alphabet of architectural grammar, while the load-bearing

structure constitutes the primary generator of architectural expression. For Boysan, successful archite-

ctural design requires a comprehensive understanding of structural mathematics, construction proces-

ses, material properties, economic constraints, and the requirements of human life. This perspective

reflects a modernist belief in the integration of technological knowledge and architectural creativity,

positioning structure not merely as a technical necessity but as a fundamental component of archite-

ctural meaning. Throughout his professional career, Boysan designed numerous industrial facilities in

different regions of Türkiye, particularly within the Marmara Region. These projects reveal a consistent

commitment to functional rationality, modular planning, and constructional efficiency. Boysan regar-

ded industrial buildings as the architectural typology in which the modernist dictum “form follows

function” could be most clearly and effectively realized. In his view, the rationalization and industria-

lization of building production were not only technical imperatives but also social necessities capable

of improving living and working conditions. Consequently, he adopted modular design principles that

simplified planning processes, facilitated construction, and enabled adaptability. The organization of

production halls, administrative offices, laboratories, meeting rooms, cafeterias, reception spaces, and

auxiliary facilities was often based on standardized planning systems that established coherent spatial

relationships across the industrial complex. An examination of Boysan’s industrial architecture demons-

trates a particular interest in the expressive potential of geometry and structural form. His projects

frequently employed the composition of diverse geometric elements to generate distinctive architec-

tural identities while maintaining functional efficiency. The resulting architectural language emerged

from a productive collaboration between architecture and engineering, allowing structural innovation

to become a visible and defining aspect of design. This approach aligns with broader international

developments in post-war architecture, particularly the emergence of Brutalism as a movement that

emphasized material authenticity, structural expression, and the ethical dimensions of architectural

production. Rather than concealing structural systems behind decorative surfaces, Boysan highlighted

their presence through carefully articulated forms and exposed construction techniques. In his work,

geometry, structure, and materiality function as interconnected components that communicate both

technical logic and aesthetic value. One of the most representative examples of Boysan’s architectural

philosophy is the Dosan Canning Factory, located in the Yenişehir district of Bursa and inaugurated

in June 1971. Designed as a comprehensive industrial complex, the factory embodies many of the

principles that characterize Boysan’s broader architectural approach. The architectural composition of

the complex is defined by the interaction of geometric forms organized within a coherent spatial and

structural system. Constructed primarily in reinforced concrete, the facility demonstrates how struc-

tural design can simultaneously fulfill functional requirements and generate architectural expression.

The formal language of the complex reveals a deliberate exploration of three-dimensional geometry,

producing a dynamic visual composition that distinguishes the factory from conventional industrial

facilities of its period.268 TÜBA-KED 33 / 2026

Gürkan OKUMUŞ & Özgür EDİZ

Drawing upon archival research and fieldwork, this study identifies the folded-plate shell structure

of the cafeteria building as one of the most significant architectural elements within the complex. The

sculptural character of this structure illustrates Boysan’s capacity to transform technical solutions into

expressive architectural forms. Beyond its structural efficiency, the folded-plate shell generates a power-

ful visual identity that contributes to the representational qualities of the industrial complex. Similar

concerns can be observed throughout the site, where the rational organization of production spaces

is complemented by an architectural language emphasizing structural visibility, material honesty, and

geometric articulation. The interaction of light and shadow across reinforced concrete surfaces, toget-

her with the incorporation of fiberglass components, further enhances the visual and spatial qualities of

the complex. The architectural character of the Dosan Canning Factory also reflects broader transfor-

mations within international architectural culture during the 1960s and early 1970s. The period wit-

nessed the emergence of more pluralistic architectural attitudes that challenged the formal uniformity

of earlier modernism while retaining its commitment to technological progress and rational design.

Within this context, the factory exhibits several characteristics commonly associated with Brutalist

architecture, including memorable and imageable forms, direct material expression, and the delibe-

rate exposure of structural systems. However, rather than reproducing international Brutalist models,

Boysan adapted these principles to local conditions, construction practices, and industrial require-

ments. The result is a distinctive architectural interpretation that demonstrates how global architectural

discourses were translated, negotiated, and reconfigured within the Turkish context. This article argues

that the Dosan Canning Factory represents a significant example of experimental industrial architec-

ture shaped by technological innovation, structural exploration, and a locally interpreted Brutalist aest-

hetic. Through an analysis of the building’s architectural language, structural organization, and design

principles, the study contributes to a broader understanding of the relationship between architectural

history, construction technologies, and industrial modernization in Türkiye. Furthermore, the research

highlights Boysan’s experimental design strategies and examines the ways in which international archi-

tectural ideas were reinterpreted within local industrial production. As an important yet largely over-

looked component of Türkiye’s modern architectural heritage, the factory offers valuable insights into

the intersections of architecture, technology, and industrial development during the post-war period.

Abandoned since 2010 and currently facing the threat of demolition, the Dosan Canning Factory

remains a critical document of twentieth-century industrial architecture. Its preservation is essential

not only because of its historical significance but also because it embodies a distinctive architectural

approach that integrated rational planning, structural innovation, and aesthetic experimentation. By

examining the factory through archival investigation, site analysis, and field research, this study seeks to

reveal the architectural value of the complex and to contribute to ongoing discussions concerning the

documentation, interpretation, and conservation of modern industrial heritage in Türkiye.