Whenever someone asked, I always found it hard to answer what my favorite piece of architecture was... If there is such a thing for me, I may have come close to it with Hagia Sophia — it has stood the test of time, it has a rich history associated with it, and it is a real marvel of dramatic space and design.
Constructed almost fifteen centuries ago, its massive vaulted stone structure (with an open span area larger than a football field) still stands despite earthquakes that have repeatedly hit Istanbul. I learned about this architectural icon in school, but you really don't get the sense of scale until you're right inside.
It has switched hands throughout history, from Orthodox Church to Roman Catholic Cathedral, to Imperial Mosque, before finally being designated as a museum — all the power struggles of the region are represented within it. Some of this history is literally layered and visible, such as the frescoes of crosses concealed by Ottoman era plaster that are now coming through.
For a relatively simple overall form, it has a rich articulation of spaces, textures and detailing, giving it a balance between a clear plan of a grand edifice, and the complexity and warmth of more human-scale elements within it — reminding me of the intricate and colourful patterns of a Turkish rug.
