The Beginning of a Memory Laboratory

Hello, I'm Tuğba. I'm from Düzce. I started my professional life as a chemist and worked in a laboratory environment for about five years. Later, I turned to architecture and I am currently continuing my career as an architect. The areas of interest that have come together on this platform today are actually shaped at the intersection of these two disciplines.

This website was created with the desire to digitally recreate the historical structures of Düzce that no longer exist or have been transformed over time. In fact, the starting point was a question I asked myself during my master's thesis process: How can the city's memory be preserved using modern technologies? Over time, this question evolved beyond simply producing a written thesis, giving rise to the idea of creating a digital platform accessible to everyone, where they can explore and contribute.

Because of my background in chemistry laboratories, the abbreviation "Lab" represents not just a physical space for me; it also symbolizes experimentation, error, improvement, and learning through the process. I see this platform as a memory laboratory where urban memory is researched, tested, and developed over time, and that's where the site's name, LabMemory , comes from. This site is actually a product of all these processes; it's less of a finished product and more of a testing ground open to development.

Throughout this journey, the guidance and encouragement of my thesis advisor, Dr. Hande Akarca, were invaluable. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to her. I also owe a debt of gratitude to my elders in Düzce, with whom I had discussions, and to my family and friends who patiently supported me throughout this process.

The main goal of this platform is to bring together the locations, images, and stories of structures that are part of Düzce's urban memory through a digital map. Starting with structures that no longer exist, such as the Clock Tower, this process aims to gradually add more locations, ensuring each structure has its own small digital archive, allowing users to experience these places in their original locations using augmented reality tools. Furthermore, this platform is not just a content space created by me; it is conceived as a living archive where citizens can contribute with their photographs, documents, and memories.

In the long term, I envision transforming this project into a digital heritage network that can be experienced within the city, powered by augmented reality and AI-assisted reconstruction techniques. An experience where people can see the past appearance of a building through their phones as they walk past it, and feel the layers of the city… This site is a small but tangible first step towards that dream.

If you have old photographs, documents, or memories that could help us build and preserve the memory of Düzce, you can contribute to this platform and become a part of this collective memory. Thank you in advance for your interest and support.

With love...