School for the Blind (Former Orphanage) / La Fontaine House

Introduction

This building, situated on Bornova's historic Fevzi Çakmak Avenue, was used as a residence by the La Fontaine family in the late 19th century.

Reflecting the typical Levantine civic architecture of the period, the building is one of Bornova's characteristic mansions, with its ornamented ceilings, large windows and garden.

History and Uses

• Late 19th century: Used as the residence of the La Fontaine family.
• Republican period (1950–1970): The building was repurposed by the state as a children's home and subsequently served for a time as a School for the Blind.
• Post-1980: Having stood unused for many years, it fell into disrepair.
• 2010s: Faithfully rebuilt by a historically minded investor.
• Present day: Serves as a private school.

Architectural Features

• Plan: Two-storey, rectangular-plan mansion layout.
• Materials: Stone ground floor, brick upper storey.
• Façade: Symmetrical elevation, triangular pediment, balconied central entrance.
• Garden: The characteristic front courtyard of Bornova houses has been preserved.
• Reconstruction: Rebuilt in the 2010s with a modern structural system in fidelity to the original façade proportions.

Cultural and Social Significance

During its period of use as the School for the Blind the building provided education to many Bornova students, and it is one of the important witnesses to Bornova's social history and public transformation.

With a story that stretches from the private residential function initiated by the La Fontaine family, through the state-run educational service, to its present-day identity as a private school, it is a living example of Bornova's multi-layered history.