New Additions in North Nicosia’s Walled City Through the Lens of Reflective Design Schemes and Continuity

Abstract

The process of managing change, which distinguishes conservation from other interventions in historic settings, frequently astounds us when design approaches overlook the underlying urban “DNA” (attributes) of historic contexts with heterogeneous character. Such actions could potentially harm the unique aspects of any additions and disrupt the overall historical context in the future. This issue becomes particularly relevant in answering which lines to follow when making new additions. This study explores lines for forming unobstructed architectural additions in North Nicosia’s Walled City, considering reflective design schemes and continuity. A comparative analysis of texts, and case studies from the study area constituted the methods. The results showed two distinct sensitivities: reflective design schemes caused disorganized and negative visual effects, while continuity strategies triggered a positive visual representation. We propose new additions with forward-thinking design strategies that engage the past harmoniously to maintain the city’s significance for future generations.