Architecture as a Tool of Social Modernization: Social Centers in Sümerbank Textile Factories During Early Republican Türkiye

During the Early Republican period, industrialization played a vital role in Türkiye’s economic development. In this context, Sümerbank, founded by the state, established factories in different regions of Türkiye to support industrialization and regional development. These factories were constructed near raw material sources to reduce production costs and strengthen the domestic industry. Simultaneously, the initiative aimed to facilitate local growth and create employment opportunities by reducing regional economic inequalities. In addition to their production structures, Sümerbank factories also draw attention to their social structures, such as lodgings, dining halls, clubhouses, and sports facilities designed for workers’ social and economic needs. In the social centers, as community facilities, activities such as cinema, theatre, balls, and concerts were organized in which factory workers actively participated. Thus, both the physical needs of the workers were met, and cultural and social interaction was supported. As part of the modernization process in Türkiye, clubhouses have also been effective in creating a collective worker identity.

This article aims to analyze the architecture and functions of the social centers located in the first factories of Sümerbank. Through archival documents, field studies, and a review of existing literature, the functionality of these buildings at the time and their value as industrial and modern heritage today will be analyzed. Their location within the factory, architectural features, and how they reflect the modern understanding of the period will be examined.