GALATA GREEK SCHOOL

SOLIDARITY FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE

In the modernization process of the Ottoman Empire, the Galata Greek School was an important institution for education, specifically for the Greek community. The education started in 1910, the School suspended its educational activities in 1988, due to demographic problems, and was officially closed to education in 2015.

Based on the restitution projects (of 1903 and 1958), starting with strengthening the physical structure and improvements aligned with earthquake regulations, taking all fire and protection measures, Galata Greek School, which has hosted many cultural events since 2012, is restructured and renovated as an institution appealing to the international culture and arts community.

Starting from the iron entrance door, the glass and wooden joinery in the spaces were renewed by the original, along with the necessary cleaning, repair, and strengthening works on the front and all other facades. Additions were cleaned by the original, and mosaics, wooden wall panels, and wooden doors, which were removed due to needs such as reinforcement, fire precautions, and air conditioning, were renewed while preserving their original characters. Elevators and stairwells were added at both sides, to enable and facilitate access between floors in the building which will serve as a cultural center and host exhibitions.

 Design based on a spatial organization that includes conference, meeting, exhibition halls, library, workshop, and archive units, including the addition of air conditioning systems, providing disabled access, and contemporary infrastructure support suitable for new functions. In the context of financial resources, the entrance was planned as a café. At the rooftop, the terrace restaurant opens to Galata and Bosphorus views; the roof piece, created with a 20% slope, was designed with contemporary materials, by complying with the ridge level of the existing building and the silhouette of the building.

 Preserving its deep-rooted past and spirit of education, the renovation integrates contemporary systems in favor of the building and its new functions adopts and strengthens the cultural identity of the School.

 CENTER OF FINANCE IN THE DRC

The envisioned finance and congress center in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is a comprehensive project aimed at transforming the city into a prominent hub for finance, government, and major events in Central Africa. The complex is composed of eleven buildings, including office blocks, a luxury hotel, government institutions, and trade and congress center facilities, positioning it as the largest congress and finance center in the country.

The center features a skyline with twin towers of more than fifteen levels, opposite the Courthouse. The twin towers are dedicated to The Ministry of Finance and The Ministry of Budget. In addition to these, there are two 5-storey government buildings.
In connection, the Congress Center comprises two high-rises and the congress hall. Passing through the atrium of the Finance Center, one can reach the Congress Center; in between the structures is a landscaped inner patio enlivened with water features.
Within the Kinshasa Congress Center, the plan incorporates catering and retail spaces, and auditoriums boasting a capacity for 2698 attendees. Free of columns, the voluminous foyer of the Congress Center can also serve as a multi-purpose event space. The main feature is the generous pond with infrastructure for water and light shows, and a public plaza is designed, projecting the square to become the center point for social and cultural life in the city.
The two Centers together achieve a wider capacity and quality: Besides offices, a provided congress center, auditorium, and a well-appointed hotel, the whole complex positions itself as a core for diplomatic exchanges, major events, and strategic discussions on a national and international scale.

AN AMBASSADOR OF TASTE CULTURE

Adding to the culinary scene of Istanbul, Divan stands out as one of the best-known fine-dining brands within the Divan Hotels chain. Situated with a panoramic view of the wide Bosphorus, the new Divan Brasserie is located at the end of the cultural lane, adjacent to the library and performance hall units of the AKM.

Divan Brasserie Fuaye occupies two floors. The main indoor space of Divan extends to the contour of the below street-level coffee shop, cantilevering towards the back piazza. Long vertical concrete slabs, evenly placed along the entire façade, mimic the main AKM design, providing shade from direct sunlight. Behind the transparent divider, across the bar, the main restaurant kitchen welcomes visitors with its bright interiors. In harmony with AKM’s architectural language and retaining the original design features of the cafes, the design revolves around the juxtaposition of simple materials: wood, glass, marble, leather, and steel.

A COMMUNICATIVE STRUCTURE FOCUSED ON LEARNING AND EDUCATION

Sister institution of Üsküdar American Academy, one of the oldest and best schools in Turkey, Sev Schools is a Turkish private school that has been providing education under the Ministry of National Education since 1997. To carry education into a sustainable future, the elementary school campus was opened to an invited competition, and the TA_ proposal was selected as the winner.

The campus is formed with singular buildings planned in a setup determined by the courtyards, each separately for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades. These buildings are considered unifying and guiding elements, encouraging the use of open and closed common areas. Housed on two floors, classrooms are located above the ground floor and are organized to include an auditorium, indoor sports hall including the swimming pool, cafeteria-canteen, library, workshop, and club rooms. The preschool unit is located next to the lodging building as the most sheltered area.

Starting from the entrance area, a wide square that is a safe and effective drop-off, considering the ease of movement and access of the service vehicles, three courtyards lead to the classrooms on the upper level, separated according to different age groups.

On the back street, which has calm traffic and atmosphere, the multi-purpose hall, which can also be used open to the public when necessary, determines the direct connection of the campus with the district. The cafe, considered for this function, is also suitable for public use.

EXPERIENCE AND TASTE OF ISTANBUL WITH ALL ITS FLAVORS, COLORS, AND AROMAS.

After the Atatürk Cultural Center became a part of the city’s art and cultural scene, the area situated on the terrace of the main building was designed to embody Istanbul and its culture in every aspect.

Istanbul, having been a key point on the Silk and Spice routes and serving as the capital for two great empires, has acquired a rich tapestry of cultures through commercial and cultural exchanges. The city’s unique food culture, extending beyond Anatolia and Ottoman lands, is a blend of diverse ingredients.

The restaurant space, spatially and programmatically divided into compartments, serves as a patisserie, brasserie, bar, restaurant, and fine-dining establishment. Each compartment features unique design aspects and its own kitchen.

The AKM Terrace restaurant not only contributes financially to the cultural enterprise but also provides all Istanbulites with access to a breathtaking view. Serving as an intermediate space before performances, it stands as an example of contemporary architecture and is an integral part of a valuable artistic performance structure within one of Istanbul’s significant cultural centers.

By showcasing its distinctive cuisine to the world, the restaurant emphasizes its values and uniqueness. Its spatial design adds to this claim, making it a preferred destination for both foreign visitors and local residents—a restaurant that opens Istanbul to the world.

Olympic Stadium for the Dakar 2026 Games

The first initiative for sports development in Senegal, as part of preparations for the first Olympic event to take place in Africa, the 50,000-seat venue is the only stadium in Senegal certified for international football, and already one of the “Top Ten” of its kind in Africa. Dakar Olympics Stadium will serve for “Dakar 2026″ and beyond as design of the stadium aimed at making the country Africa’s go-to venue for international events.
Located in the Diamniadio, about 30 kilometers from Dakar, the region is developing within the framework of the masterplan as an extension of Dakar, and recently connected to the capital by an express railway line, which was put into service in December 2021. The first realization of the Masterplan has been the Dakar Congress Center (2013), followed by the Expo and hotel buildings which were also designed by Tabanlıoğlu Architects.
Part of the masterplan, the stadium project aims to create a relation between the stadium area and the urban tissue, visually and socially.
Formed around a 105 x 68m football pitch, a hybrid system is used on the field ground. The stadium is planned with a gross capacity of 50,000 seats. Line of vision grant spectators’ excellent views and the design of the seating bowl contributes to an exciting and intimate atmosphere within the simple opulence of natural light and material sensation. In addition to lower and upper tiers there are skyboxes and a president box, as well as 1045-seat for VIP spectators. Access to the stadium will be provided via 40 separate portals around the stadium.
Meeting FIFA and CAF standards for the African Cup of Nations (CAN), the design includes hard and soft landscaping and the enhancement of the area around the stadium, taking into account the requirements of vehicle and crowd movement, parking (2,040 open parking car-capacity ), maintenance, access and the design of the overall precinct.
Stade du Sénégal” comprises a football pitch in line with FIFA norms. The new stadium has four changing rooms, a conference room, two training rooms, and of course, a main field. There are additional locker rooms for the series competitions for the home and guest teams.
Close-by the Stadium, the annexed facilities are planned as reserve areas for athletes to train and for track-and-field sports, and other field events.
The roof is covered with a sun-permeable material so that daylight received in at the most effective manner, to meet the need for field.
Natural light optimization and the simplicity of the material at the tribunes contribute to a friendly atmosphere that supports the excitement of the parties.
Taking advantage of the opportunities of the climate, some of the energy required for operation is provided by solar panels covering the car park.
The rectangular stadium is enveloped in a curvilinear façade composed of multilayered metal mesh panels, creating soft edges.
Starting from the façade, where the stadium structure meets its surroundings, the colors and lighting infrastructure used reflect the colors and textures that refer to the local culture. The local motifs and forms adapted to the design carry Senegal’s values and identity to the project.

In a fan-friendly approach, besides spectators comfort in during games, addressing issues such as quality of facilities, the experience and comfort of using them and the continuing maintenance of these facilities, the precinct is designed as a dynamic “fan zone” where sports lovers gather even before getting into the stadium.
Besides being a stimulating and enjoyable place to visit for football spectators, the ring around the stadium is designed as an extremely accessible public park that serves the neighborhood in non-match days, as well. The facility also links to the leisure and the commercial zone, within the broad-spectrum of the design. The inclusive public space embodies the integration of human, sports and the city identity, while blending in nature.
The iconic structure becomes a glittering sculpture during the day, and dynamic at night with changing colors of light diffusing from the stadium and with projections on the surface.

The main idea of ​​Verra Suites Beykoz is that each house is unique to its owner’s lifestyle, with different plans and features. In order for each of the residences to have a wide panorama of the Bosphorus and the adjacent forest, the blocks are placed on the land at the axes that will provide the most dominant angles for the views. All units are planned according to day-intensive and night-intensive use of functions, with an approach that interior space open to landscape and nature. A dynamic facade is achieved as an architectural reflection of the interior design and thanks to the association of terraces and balconies at different points.

Beykoz, with its sea, streams, recreation areas and forests, has become one of the favorite places of the ruling class, especially the Sultans, due to the suitability of hunting areas during the Ottoman period.

The residential project, located on the hills of Beykoz, a traditional district at the point where the Bosphorus connects to the Black Sea, is designed as two 5.5-storey buildings on a 3500 m² plot.

It consists of 26 independent units in various sizes ranging from 100-270 m2 and where different types of housing alternatives from 2 + 1 to 4.5 + 1 are solved together.

The main idea of ​​Verra Suites, in which each house is unique to the life style of the user granting different plans and features, is that all apartments gain Bosphorus and forest views at the widest angles. For this reason, the buildings are placed on such angles that would provide the best sights for each unit.

The project, in which simplicity and transparency were adopted as the architectural language, rich, flexible alternatives and original solutions developed, especially for interior spaces.

The dynamic facade is obtained as the architectural reflection of the varying interior settings. The thorough simplicity in the choice of materials in the exterior facade, which has a defined and unique appearance, is balanced with the building aesthetics, thanks to the wide windows that are directed to the landscape, and depending on the location of the apartments, the open air / landscape spaces such as terraces and balconies that can be evaluated individually. With the understanding of a space that is in touch with nature, benefiting from the view and daylight at the highest value, all residential units are planned according to day-intensive and night-intensive use of functions. While a wider view is provided in common living spaces such as living and dining rooms, bedrooms, which require less light but more privacy, are handled with a more introverted approach. In line with the decision of positioning in accordance with the space functions, wet areas are placed at the intersection of the blocks.

As an essential part of every residence, the terraces, which are considered as the extension of the interior spaces, are planned in such a way that they can be opened completely in accordance with the desire of the user and the climatic conditions, so that joining the terrace, the living spaces can turn into a very large reception area.

In the project, where the visual and physical continuity of the apartments are ensured, the landscape is considered as a fundamental element optimizing the interior-exterior integrity, as well as space-life relations.

The residential building is located in the district where access to the Bosphorus Bridges, especially the FSM entrance, which provides the best feasible connection to Europe from the Anatolian side, yet, away from the constraints of the hectic urban life, granting especially the good neighborhood living, alongside the Bosphorus; the best atmosphere of the Bosphorus as a peaceful “home”, not only an apartment.

Investment in future

Ideally measured from the perspective of the citizen, urbanized terrain is planned and managed with consideration for social, economic, environmental impact, providing a resilient habitat for existing populations, without compromising the ability of future generations to experience the same. It is an investment in future capability…

Place-making

DEVELOPMENT must grant significant value to local/ rural development.  Assessing the processes of transformation, we have to capture a dynamic picture not static, as transformation is integration of ‘proactive’ and ‘transformative’ approaches.

Rural design policies are altering from standardization towards social innovation, as there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, is inevitably experimental.

Under a leading design ‘umbrella’ the rural region may benefit a good practice with an evolution potential. As the project becomes visible, the approach motivates and becomes the forerunner of the future network of new rural-urban capacity.

A participatory, inclusive, holistic, and action-oriented structural development will serve the adaptation and benefit of communities.

Resource efficiency and social innovation

The issue of social, political and moral reorientation towards ‘green’ production and consumption attracts a wider audience and supporter.

Rural resilience, capacity for effective adaptation*, encourage cooperation and sharing in building a cohesive society.

Social sustainability

Intertwined with the full range of activities that dwellers of different backgrounds and social groups are involved in. the level of peoples’ satisfaction associated with their purpose or well-being.

Towards sustainable food provision

One of the main drivers of city policy for supporting urban agriculture is the maintenance of attractive spaces for recreation of urban citizens.

Agri-environmental, sustainable landscape implies the interaction and mutual benefit among a larger set of people. Urban agriculture will provide short food supply chains. Reduction of negative environmental impacts and the reconnection of consumers and producers, requires collaborated efforts between civil society, policy and market actors.

Motivating collaboration and natural living standards in becoming a sustainable city, the project offers a future lifestyle, which is indeed an urgent need for a better World; targeting ecological perspectives, not only for food but also for health, education and other production issues.

The project will also serve as a promotion factor for a desirable urban world in the rural, supporting discourses as catalysts for changes in policies towards sustainable urban living.  Alternative discourses will affect global policy making over time, and by good samples.

Economic basis

Due to new development, new investments so that employment opportunities and economic uplift should be expected.

The F&B options next to leisure capacities, will attract visitors also for ‘good food’, ‘healthy food’ and ‘local products’, which create a high capacity and stimulate commercial interaction.

The organization of the settlement will provide these opportunities and participatory methods.

Providing opportunities for people, the planning – for long-term success – ensures that it is fit for the future – preserving resources considering tomorrow’s citizens as well as responding to changes in production models and economic circumstances.

Accessibility needs

Rural places and issues assume a specific meaning in times of sharp transformation, in such a masterplan, reorientation, building reconnections and integration of alternative means of transport is important, as private cars may soon be obsolete.

Walkability is increasingly valued for a variety of reasons. Not only does pedestrian transportation reduce congestion and have low environmental impact, it has social and recreational value. Recent research suggests that walking also promotes mental and physical health. The quality of the pedestrian environment is key to encouraging people to choose walking over driving. Six criteria are presented for design of a successful pedestrian network: connectivity; linkage with other modes; fine grained land use patterns; safety; quality of path; and path context.

Low carbon transport infrastructure, including bikes, and sharing cars, or electric vehicle incentives, highlights the adoption of novel solutions into an emerging contemporary habitat which must keep its focus on long-term resilience.

Consent, Coquetry, and Consequences

The tension between industrial structure and the nature in Neuwied today is remarkable, the texture is inspirational.

Industrial elements, wrapped in green, frames the idea of the new development. Although heavy metal residueneeds detoxification brownfield site offers an abundant possibility to rebuild spaces and society, aiming to create something better.

The locus is formed by the inclusion of a social component into sustainability measurement. Dwellers of a land will be the best guardians of the environment, so that a residential-led mix-use development is the key solution for newly developing locale, in solidarity.

Impact of Creative Spaces on Urban Development

The former industrial area – leads to a number of specific challenges, yet, in terms of initiating a new juncture of artsand regeneration may be a ground breaker in the progress of the post-industrial neighborhood. Improving physical (infrastructure) without adequately addressing social resilience illustrates short-term thinking; in dealing with a longer-term future, involvement of culture and arts is essential.

A maker space, initiating a maker movement

Makers and hands on artist may invest in the area for their first home and that will shape the vision, significanceand the future of the novel settlement, focused on future, nature, and making…

The project has the potential to be influential and have Germany-wide impact in terms of how such areas are developed and what kind of opportunities they may create. Never underestimating the necessity of digital connectivity, the new rural-urban form will attract younger generation.

With its roots back in time, rising above the traces of a heritage, surrounded with the enlivened heirloom, an exciting place for culture and arts, entertainment, nature and style, the project aims to repair the collectivity of space to combat the serial time of modern labor; and re-build ceremonial and informal public spaces of our era. Overlaying different activities in a contemporary town, the holistic architectural approach of the settlement will enrich the feeling of unity, belongingness and a new order.

The federal capital and center of government in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, with a population of just under 1.5 million, is experiencing a massive development with iconic structures, including Guggenheim and Louvre Museums, global incentives of arts and culture.

Abu Dhabi’s spectacular waterfront The Corniche stretches for 6km from the Breakwater near Marina Shopping Mall up to the Mina Zayed port. In the evening it feels like the whole of Abu Dhabi have come to the zone for their evening walk.

Located at Al Meena, Mina Fish Market – where fresh catches are brought ashore each morning and traded in the traditional style- is almost at the corner of the Corniche, now going through an urban transformation.  Next to the development, instead of the existing boat-park, new museum building will stimulate the development.

Transforming from a port facility to an urban magnet, the perception of the pier from the sea will emphasize the image of the contemporary city; the new plan houses hotels, retail and leisure areas within a rich landscape.

The Urban Design Strategy within boundaries of the overall site, basically considers the specific conditions in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Demonstrating the commitment to meeting the development requirements across the site, potential land use patterns respects the ‘Estidama’ perspective, which means sustainability in Arabic, the Abu Dhabi Government’s program of sustainability.

Site and its boundaries

The concept  reflect the surrounding context, the nature of the site  by the water, indeed an old port capacity, the functions are identified for the specific space, considering a public realm that responds to the existing environment while  providing the necessary facilities and uses. One of the four main market places, the Fish market will be an authentic yet contemporary feature, next to the meat, vegetable and plant & flower market places.

Identity

Basically focused on climate requirements, geographic assets, and the expression of the Arab culture, values and tradition, whilst fulfilling the needs of a diverse, multicultural population, the market place will serve curious international visitors as well as locals.

Open to the views and the waft of the sea the masterplan approach will establish strong spatial connections between buildings and open spaces, targeting to create opportunities at the outdoors, such as walkways for promenade, immediate and easy access along the landscaped open space.

Infrastructure for recreational, cultural, landscape and children’s outdoor play facilities and features will serve international and local population requirements, and the neighborhoods through different levels of means.

Besides commercial and residential buildings, influenced by the sea connection, a mix of retail, play, gathering and socializing spaces, the zone will also be a base for civic events and celebrations, public art, but mainly for the daily use.

Being an inclusive, pleasant, formal or informal setting to fulfil society’s need for urban living, the open and semi-open space will set the religious grounds with the mosque and mejlis by the very edge of water.

Besides pedestrian capacity, vehicular lanes, carparks and narrower paths suitable for local access and movement within residential and commercial areas planned for easy and smooth access.

Landscape Design

The pedestrian-friendly strategy accelerates alleys beneath the trees, and in the abundant greenery, furthermore, the walk-through arcades. As public realm design elements correspond to the existing character of the site and the need, a particular addition to the zone, the long arched galleries, will be a prolongation of the main structures, supporting the pedestrian flow.

Elements of pedestrian street, abundant shade, arcades, trees, street lights, street furniture, signage, Kiosks and cafésalongside the publicly accessible corridors of networks, will grant a pleasant, comfortable and safe movement of people in a colorful, active street life. Walking and cycling routes shall jazz up the waterfront.

Open-air Public Space and Market

Natural and developed waterfront, enriched with inner patios, linear parks and green infrastructure elements will attract people in the colorful, well-planned, enjoyable market areas where people welcome to eat.

Structure

Traditional market tents are the ideal stands for ongoing use at different markets all over the world. Designed to serve as the right canopy overhead, the vault-like structures connected to each other in continuity.  GRC – Glass Reinforced Concrete, Concrete Cladding is preferred to have a solid yet light-weight construction, like a large-scale version of a tent, establish a continuum.  All in sequence, forming a choppy water surface, generate the wavy roof.

Courtyard

The environmental issues could be solved through sustainable approach of design. An architectural design element, courtyards have been acting as sustainable solutions throughout centuries all over the world, varying regionally and according to the functional use of buildings. Being climate responsive, especially for hot arid conditions, the use of courtyard in the Middle Eastwere due to their climatic conditions that include the use of sun light and natural ventilation, whereas socio – culturally the space grants interaction within courtyard and interaction to street.

Surrounded by arcades, landscaped and by the water, semi-closed at sides, the plan of the courtyard is rectangular; the marblestalls for the fish are placed around the pillars, below the opening to the sky, covered by a light fabric in harmony with the permanent (GRC) structure. Besides the direct impact on thermal comfort, presenting a balance of shade and light, the courtyard also provides visual and acoustic protection.

As an open space within a cluster, a relaxing opportunity to eat the freshest fish in the cherished and casual atmosphere of the courtyard promises an enjoyable and unique experience.

Supporting a dynamic and diverse marketplace which is concentrated on local values and self-sufficiency, and expression of the community, the new Fish Market will encourage local trade and users, as well as visitors, appreciating the local-natural resources.

According to the UNDP UNDP reports, Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe: Over half of its people are under the age of 25, and about 21 percent of population of Kosovo is between the ages of 15 and 25. The dynamic and young population creates strong demand for sports, recreation and social events. The New National Stadium is seen as an urgent need in the field of football as also the national team is getting more and more successful. Reflecting the contemporary identity of Kosovo, the structure will be align with FIFA and UEFA tournaments standards, whilst the stadium will bring people together, as Kosovo recently emerged from a civil war, interaction between peoples is important. The population consists of 85-90% Albanian, 3-4% Serb, 3-4% other people. Prioritizing a friendly and lively audience experience, as a necessity for international matches 30,000 seating capacity is planned. The two tiered stadium, with 18 stands on each floor, designed to optimize viewing angle values.

Where the vast majority of its land is mountainous terrain, the stadium in Drenas, Kosovo will not only serve football, but the venue will also be of vital importance for various events and public organizations. In the masterplan design, the hotel, along with functions such as shopping and F & B etc., will create a continuous demand for the complex. Accordingly, trade and commercial activity will be born on this occasion, stimulating and integrating with neighboring industrial zones.

The linear green belt that surrounding the stadium is not only an open-air urban park where events, concerts, markets and fairs can be held, but also designed as a security zone between the nearby buildings and the stadium during the match days.

The façade of the stadium is shielded by a flexible textile material in harmony with the natural park adjoining this large structure, thus visually splitting the large scale and mass of the stadium, so that the structure behaves as a thin curtain between the greensward and the sky.

Close to the Pristina International Airport, Kosovo National Stadium complex is planned to be a destination for visitors, besides the  days,  for shopping, cultural, sports, entertainment and entertainment facilities, as well.

The M.K. ČIURLIONIS Concert Centre will be the pioneer of the Kaunas cultural network on the southern bank. The proposed design besides being the cultural center, also claims to be an urban meeting point. Incorporating the pedestrian bridge to itself, the design acts as a connection node, completing the cultural loop of the city.

The most striking characteristic of the site, is the unique relationship between land and water. The ever-changing contour line of the Nemunas, the beautiful texture of the foliage, how the site transforms from evergreen, to a snowy field, from wetlands to the river itself, is worth conserving.

With intention of preserving the existing fauna as much as possible, the building sits on the most compact footprint. A perfect square, that rests on a triangular pedestal at the intersection of two urban axes that connect the existing bridge with the proposed one. The pedestal is situated as far back as possible from the river, leaving most of the existing landscape untouched.

The urban axes divide the compact mass into three blocks. The larger of the three, contains the main hall, backstage and office functions. The second block contains the secondary hall, convention and primary foyer functions. The smallest, which tapers upwards is the public block and contains the foyer, restaurant and terrace.

The riverside walkway and the bridge meet under the tapering block, creating a covered open public area which is directly connected with both the foyer and the descending amphitheater. These areas can be used throughout the year as open public spaces, even when the halls are not in use.

The buildings exterior shell is mostly solid, except for strategic spots where it opens up to views of Kaunas with windows, terraces or balconies wherever people are gathered to enjoy a social function. Its materiality, texture and form,  is a nod to both graphic and musical works of Ciurlionis, who successfully captured the essence of Lithuanian landscape, primarily the vertical rhythm of trees and the calmness of flowing water.

The forementioned axes meet within the building to form the main atrium that sits in between the three blocks, acting as the centerpiece of the public space organization. It is aimed to be an extention of the public square, the park and the city. The public space block, can be independently operated when the halls are closed with terraces, decks and restaurants with  great views of the old town and Vytautas the Great bridge along with the sunset. The main foyer extends to the upper levels of the building reaching various public meeting points that extend to the halls. The atrium can also be used as an exhibition space with its rich daylight capacity, and as a performance space with the audiance watching from the balconies above.

The three storey main hall design uses the typical shoebox layout, with slightly curved rows that enhance the sociological aspect of music listening. The space is 25 meters high including the roof structure. The raked seating has the minimum slope possible with perfect sight lines. The intention is to maximize the volume of the room for enhanced acoustics. The suspended ceiling modules can individually be raised, lowered or tilted in order to adjust acoustic qualities depending on the type of the performance. When the proscenium is opened the hall becomes a single space, ideal for orchestral music. There are two sidestages, a backstage that can be lowered down to the loading bay, and an orchestra pit that can be raised for additional seating capacity. The hall is surrounded by technical and translation rooms.

The building rests on a service and carpark pedestal. This block has two vehicle entrances on both ends along the street. The east end also has a service entrance which leads to back of house functions and the loading bay. From these areas service shafts and platforms support the main functions above. A backstage space joins the back of house to the main hall and the second hall above as well as f&b functions. On top of the backstage zone, the offices are placed which are directly linked to all public and and service spaces.

The building is placed as far back as possible from the river where the site is at its highest. The main structure streches over the pedestal towards the river, creating a unique experience of the building as the tide changes. The structure’s minimal footprint leave as much terrain as possible untouched.

The buildings mostly solid shell , along with operable glazings on the bottom edge and above the atrium, enable passive climate control and increase the building’s energy efficiency. On the exterior reclaimed local wood is used both on the facades and deck areas and local natural stone is used on the main circulation zones that connect symbolically with the cobblestones of Vilnius street. The GRC panels on the interior is both lightweight and sustainable while still maintainin the natural feeling of the building. The transparent atrium roof also allows maximum daylight all thorugh the public spaces of the building.

In terms of MEP systems ground source heat pumps are proposed taking advantage of the Nemunas river and most of the building demand is met by recycled rainwater.

The project is composed of a Business Hotel and Expo Center which is following on the Complex with the DCC building.

The site, located in the city Dakar the capital of Senegal; 43km from the city center and 45km from the airport with excellent road connections, has the potential to become one of the city’s most significant destinations.

This region is a developing part of the city, in terms of architectural vocabulary and public functions housed in the new facilities, and it becomes a meeting place for citizens as well as visitors.

It is planned as an integrated Expo Center and Business Hotel Complex with a total closed area of 30.736m2+1032m² technical area, adjoining Dakar Diamniadio Congress Center Building, constructed in 2014.

The Complex includes an Expo Building with 20.380 m² (plus a 506m² technical building) closed area and a 152-room Business Hotel with 10.356m² closed area (plus an extra 526m² technical building).

All function zones are granted separate drop off points and Expo Center will also have another drop off point through the entrance of DCC building.

One of the major components of the complex is the Business Hotel with 152 rooms is located at the prolongation of the Expo Center.

In addition, the adjacent 1460m² plot is developed as a car park and also have a service area at the rear side of the hotel building.

With 136 standard rooms (32 m²), 4 suite rooms (64 m²), 11 junior suite rooms (48-58 m²), and 1 presidential suite room (220 m²), 152 rooms in total, the hotel has 5 floors above the high-ceiling ground floor and the mezzanine.

At the ground level; with a colonnaded entrance; a lobby, restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and business center are located for public use.

The restaurant and the bar section, allocated at the ground level, is integrated with the 400 m² outdoor deck area with a view. The bar, edged with a swimming pool and reflection pool at the hotel entrance, has a direct link to the hotel via an outdoor bridge at the ground level. Fitness Center and spa functions are located at the mezzanine floor.

Modulations of the elevation with generously proportioned openings on the facade grant views for all units. Both front and back facades of the building present vertical trails at diverse angles to screen strong light whilst side facades are solid for solar control.

Transparency, quality of light, easy-to-apply and healthy material, loyalty to existing patterns, local culture as well as adapting global methods and technology are the basic references. And of course we should respect resources in all terms, nature being the major concern.

Authentic, meaningful, and engaging being the main concerns together with the themes energy efficiency and sustainability, the principal aim is to foresee the development as part of the surrounding environment and culture in an innovative and exciting way. The sprouting complex represent the essence and the will of the powerful the city, alongside the origins of Dakar.

The project is composed of a Business Hotel and Expo Center which is following on the Complex with the DCC building.

The site, located in the city Dakar the capital of Senegal; 43km from the city center and 45km from the airport with excellent road connections, has the potential to become one of the city’s most significant destinations.

This region is a developing part of the city, in terms of architectural vocabulary and public functions housed in the new facilities, and it becomes a meeting place for citizens as well as visitors.

It is planned as an integrated Expo Center and Business Hotel Complex with a total closed area of 30.736m2+1032m² technical area, adjoining Dakar Diamniadio Congress Center Building, constructed in 2014. 

The Complex includes an Expo Building with 20.380 m² (plus a 506m² technical building) closed area and a 152-room Business Hotel with 10.356m² closed area (plus an extra 526m² technical building).

All function zones are granted separate drop off points and Expo Center will also have another drop off point through the entrance of DCC building. 

One of the major components of the complex is the Business Hotel with 152 rooms is located at the prolongation of the Expo Center.

In addition, the adjacent 1460m² plot is developed as a car park and also have a service area at the rear side of the hotel building. 

With 136 standard rooms (32 m²), 4 suite rooms (64 m²), 11 junior suite rooms (48-58 m²), and 1 presidential suite room (220 m²), 152 rooms in total, the hotel has 5 floors above the high-ceiling ground floor and the mezzanine.  

At the ground level; with a colonnaded entrance; a lobby, restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and business center are located for public use.

The restaurant and the bar section, allocated at the ground level, is integrated with the 400 m² outdoor deck area with a view. The bar, edged with a swimming pool and reflection pool at the hotel entrance, has a direct link to the hotel via an outdoor bridge at the ground level. Fitness Center and spa functions are located at the mezzanine floor.

Modulations of the elevation with generously proportioned openings on the facade grant views for all units. Both front and back facades of the building present vertical trails at diverse angles to screen strong light whilst side facades are solid for solar control.

Campus facilities consist of modules and branches of education, as big “campuses” develop in time. In a city like Astana, the vision for the project is to create a new sports university complex from scratch, targeting a holistic, all-inclusive space of multiple functions, under a sole roof; a campus that answers every demand of the user, which is “the student”. Astana is a capital with difficult summer – winter conditions, therefore the design approach brings together all of the mentioned “lifestyle” in the campus under one backbone “gallery” structure. Started construction earlier and left unfinished, the new design considers benefiting the existing construction for budgetary, and production purposes. The task is to unify the campus into “one” including the transformation of existing buildings. “unifying grid” approach is introduced at this point, as the whole complex, landscape, rooftops, and interior modules, atriums derive from this grid, referencing and reaching out the very different functions of the buildings, correspondingly defining easy access and clear directions.  Closed sport venues, open tracks and fields, training areas for each sport, research facilities, classrooms and an auditorium for theoretical education and events, plus the social facilities come together around a massive “backbone” gallery, connecting and unifying and each and every need of a user inside.  Landscaping and hardscaping elements are designed to generate the feel of an “urban park under one roof”. Yet it is a closed building, the main gallery and atriums are “semi interior” spaces with maximum controlled daylight and trees to rest under their shadow finding the balance between protection and freedom. Wooden deck steps and seating areas connect the main gallery with the atriums, and generates even more space to meet and share. The whole idea revolves around “freshness” and “activity” as a sports university, besides the pertinent functions, to gain a further visual impression for this “concept of dynamism”, the red hanging running track, brings the energy and playfulness to the main gallery, imagining arts and sports together. The red track becomes a domineering conceptual yet basically functional form.

Istanbul is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, populated since at least the 667 BC. Throughout the history, the Golden Horn has been Istanbul’s inner harbor and has a longstanding legacy of shipbuilding and repairs located in shipyards. In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II established an imperial shipyard across the Golden Horn from Constantinople, in the formerly Genoese suburb of Galata. During the Republican Period, it became a natural port for merchant vessels and warships, and at the same time a shipyard zone while the upper part sustained to be a popular excursion and leisure area summer resort of the city  where mansions, waterfront residences and pavilions lined up as the extension of the Bosporus. After 1960s, the region lost its charm under the pressure of socio-economic conditions and became a commercial and industrial center, which resulted in irregularly emerged residential hubs and caused a deterioration in life and building quality of the surroundings as well as the Golden Horn itself. After many years staying almost derelict, the first cleaning works began in 1984. By means of a strategic transformation, recently the Golden Horn with its close vicinity is ready to reclaim the prestigious identity of the past to become a vigorous extension of the city. The perception of the coastline from the sea emphasizes the image of the city; the new project that houses marinas, hotels, housing, offices and leisure areas will respect and protect the symbolic silhouette of old Istanbul.  All new and renovated structures dedicated to various functions will integrate in skyline and in harmony with the existing urban texture.

Restoration and revitalization of the historical landscape, Gentzrode Estate

Brandenburg , Germany, 2018-

Near the Prussian town, known as Fontanastadt, Neuruppin has a notable historical landscape.  The Gentzrode Estate was founded by Johann Christian Gentz an idealist with a vision. The Estate and plantation shaped out of the Kahlen Berge, former sand dunes that had been tamed, shaped, and planted by a variety of local and imported plants, and extensive infrastructural work. The landscape was experienced and narrated prudently, as much as the design and positioning of the buildings. The Granary, designed by Carl von Diebitch in 1861, in an Orientalist style, followed by the mansion designed by Martin Gropius and Heino Schmeiden. The prolific buildings was accompanied by a cluster of other buildings with varying programs, around a common courtyard.  The courtyard, and the surrounding parklands were designed by Gustav Meyer, later he was the Head City Planner of Berlin.

Traditional functions – like agriculture – are declining all over the world. Accordingly, land abandonment leaves behind disused fields and derelict structures. In recent times, these landscapes are increasingly appreciated as leisure commodities. Increasingly, people are choosing to put down roots far from the jamming and crowds. Social demand for landscape is growing and there is a shift from a functional image of nature and landscape to a living territory. Hence, rural with urban inhabitants is the result of a new kind of urbanization.

The vision of the Gentz family has been the inspiration of the proposed layout, aiming to establish the core elements of that inspiration, the project defines and traces the historical layout of the site. Juxtaposition of the land patterns and the current condition of the site is set as the guidelines of the project

The re-organization and re-structuring of 5 million square meter Gentzrode Estate will be designed in a 3-phase master plan, in an approach promoting ecological network as well as landscape rehabilitation while developing a characteristic settlement- where the natural landscape is not considered merely a decor but- a habitation fused in the natural setting embracing natural and urban opportunities together.

Its name is derived from the Latin phrase Magna Aula meaning a hall capable of containing large number of people, where official ceremonies, meetings are held. A part of the Byzantium Grand Palace, Magnaura is a brick-paved, interior vaulted stone building that connects the building units to each other with tunnels and ramps, located in different elevations.

The Tower of Stairs, which has been unprotected for a very long time, is planned be a part of contemporary life while at the same time restoring its historical character. Completing and enhancing the remaining structure, minimal intervention proposed enhances the spirit of the place, but through the introduction of modern infrastructure. The interventions, that transform the structure into an arts and culture program, re-valuates the existing structure, not as a single entity but as an essential part of urban life and its environment. Completing and enhancing the remaining structure, the historical characteristics are brought forth, via timeless materials and design decisions that introduce revitalization through functional and contemporary additions.

Set by the illustrative mountains, the project site’s backdrop is the triangular vision of the typical topography.

Basic decisions in developing the project have been integrating the design with natural landscape, and benefiting optimum natural daylight, while combating the climatic issues, like the wind.

Due to telescopic configuration, that is two -structurally dependent- high masses leaning against each other, with a void in between, interlinking at the top, which forms the triangular outline of the whole structure, each module receives optimum natural light at interiors in a controlled manner and the open panoramas granted to the most, where openness does not sacrifice privacy of individual units. Besides, the triangular figure of the structure breaks the monolithic sense of high-rises, so that the building becomes an elegant icon, and builds a visual harmony with the emblematic mountains of the city.

A balanced combination of solid and transparent façade is well preserved against sun beams and wind, and still open to the vistas. The use of solid material mimics the authentic sandy beige color of the vernacular stone facades.

Moreover, respecting the surrounding low-rises, the mega structure avoids creating a visual obstacle, by its positioning, form and the void left between the two structural bodies.

LUSAIL BENCHMARK

A phenomenal and logical structure The aim of the project is to come up with an outstanding design solution to create an instant residential landmark tower which should benchmark Lusail‘s urban life by blending the indoor and outdoor spaces and transforming the terraces or balconies as expandable indoor living areas. The design calls for a daring, innovative and modern architecture, functional in its distribution, contemporary in its style and sustainable in its components. The main concept of the project revolves around the question of how to design a tectonically, functionally and symbolically “unique” building which will not only distinguish itself from the dominant international style architecture but also pave way for a smarter development around it acting as a reference point, a benchmark. The plan layouts are generated around massive walls that run diagonally in NE, NW and SE directions which correspond to the Waterfront / Marina Hotel view, Marina District view and Admiral Club view respectively.

BODRUM LOFT

In Torba, a village at the Aegean cost,  in the sloping topography of more than 50%, 38 longterm residence units, mostly duplex villas, all flexible and dividable, with 2, 3 or 4 bedrooms.  Aiming to create progressive adoptable spaces, life around a courtyard, living outdoors has been the focus. A “house complex” is made up of several masses connected to each other.The patios link  all units and people. Wherever possible, the topography is benefitied and the units are embedded in the terrain.

 The new Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) transforms a 1960’s classic for cultural life into a new urban magnet for future generations 

Designed by Tabanlioglu Architects, the new Cultural Icon for Istanbul, the Ataturk Cultural Center, was unveiled on November 6th. 

The new contemporary culture center will appeal to a general public greater than other facilities have previously been possible to accommodate. Although it will mainly serve as a new opera house, the center will also have venues ranging from cinema and theater to exhibition halls, cafes and restaurants. 

The Atatürk Cultural Center will be built to accommodate performances of international stature and designed to contemporary requirements and current technologies. As a very comprehensive urban structure, the center is also expected to be a major attraction for the city’s residents and thousands of tourists visiting from around the world. 

Preservation, restoration, and a new 21st century design provide the foundation and future for this great social experiment and public project that will serve generations of visitors and future populations of Turkish citizens. 

THE NEW NEIGHBOR

Located at the nexus of the Upper East Side and Midtown and only three blocks from Central Park and the prestigious Madison and Fifth Avenue retail corridors, the project offers convenient access to the diverse amenities of the surrounding neighborhoods. The well established residential nature of the Upper East Side is characterized by the abundant supply of amenities including grocery markets, commercial banks, restaurants and bars located on most street corners. While the avenues running north and south are usually bustling with commerce and traffic, most Upper East Side cross streets are tree lined and serene.

The luxury condominium tower is approximately 80,000 square feet with 70-75 units on 25 floors, together with a ground floor lobby including shops and restaurants and a separate amenities floor. Reaching approximately 320 feet (100 meters) in height, the design of the tower is a simple and straightforward interpretation / reflection of the programmatic and environmental data. The behive like pattern of the facade represents the multiplicity of unit typologies and different unit types where each module represents a vertical cluster of similar units. Being stuck in between three buildings at three sides, the modules enlarge so as the units and have greater openings to the view as the building rises up. This facade pattern is further articulated by creating planar movement generating variations on different unit types.

Candy-pink resin, true to Miami fever

In order to build a worldwide communication between cultures, intellectual dialogue is precious in the 21st century. Architectural style that combines various approaches with modern social requirements is the most appealing theme for contemporary architects; solidarity between the design communities of different cultures blend together both inheritance and innovation.

Meeting at venues like Design Miami, art, architecture, design and engineering professionals establish the global platform to interact enabling, sharing and exchange of ideas and experiences in cultural life and urban trends.

At the center of the global design forum, and next to Art Basel in Miami, designing Collectors Lounge of DESIGN MIAMI, specific to year in 2016, TA_ celebrates the merge of design, art and architecture by the creative Flamingo Lounge, providing a space for relaxation and interval, moreover, a convenient and an ingenious space to meet.

Incorporating elements of contemporary opportunities while respecting local values is indispensable, moreover, inclusion of diverse languages enriches the original and defines the future.

The aesthetic for the Flamingo Lounge is inspired by a number of diverse sources, from the flamboyant panache of cult filmmaker John Waters, to the utilitarian minimalism of Mies van der Rohe and the colorful liquidity of Gaetano Pesce.

TA_’s perception of Miami style and culture developed into the design of the lounge, giving it a playful yet severely abstract feel. The proportions and spatial qualities of the space as well as the environmental data of Miami have been major guidelines for the design.

Single material and color used throughout 100m² space; the floor and the furniture all cast in the same candy pink resin, so that the space appears to be carved out of a solid, yet apparently liquid, block.

The long rectangular space is broken up into zones, each represented by a separate piece of furniture that also doubles as an archetypal symbol, evoking primitive geometric characters with a language that goes beyond their pure function, conveying multiple levels of meaning for each visitor.

The pieces of furniture are stripped to their bare minimum, existing as abstract, primitive geometries. They attempt to function not only as utilitarian objects but also as symbols and archetypes that are a means of complex communication with multiple levels of meaning.

Entitled The Flamingo Lounge, beyond its functional and aesthetic significance, the design is also a picture of  interaction between various cultures and people.

EMPROWERING WOMEN THROUGH COMMUNIAL PRODUCTION

Bayburt, a rural province of 60.000, located in the north-east of Turkey is known for its harsh weather. Pioneered by the BAKSI Foundation of Arts and Culture, on a plot that has been donated by a teacher, many generations of women will come together under one roof. A dynamic communal space is designed as a gathering point and a place where experiences and practices are shared. The building responds to the climatic and geographical conditions of the region and concretely puts them into a humble, functional and harmonious monolithic entity. The spaces in their simplicity and openness, provide a configurable ‘place’, customized by the users and the needs. The steep roof, a mandatory grammar due to the heavy snowfall is stylistically embedded and acts as an agent to divide the overall structure into smaller volumes in harmony with the built environment.

ARCHITECTURE AND ARTLESSNESS

Close to İzmir and being one of the major destinations for surfing the land is easily accessible from the sea and by land routes. Integrated with the nature timidly and aiming to welcome the sun and the breeze in a controlled attitude in the units, especially during hot summer days, a mixture of open, semi-open and closed areas are designed. Aegean stone walls starting at the garden as a part of the landscape become an integral of the interior in continuity.  Similarly, the green roofs are designed to be an elongation of the natural topography benefiting the existing slope and terraces of the land. One storey bungalows scattered over the land supporting the holistic texture; using the advantage of the slope, the blocks are embedded in the terrain rising to the surface quietly to capture the sea view, giving the impression of a turtle peeping through its shell. In the same manner, the main hotel building consists of one basement and 2 floors above the ground, housing a conference center, a library, two restaurants and a spa, as well. The principal of the project has been to establish the architectural tectonics of the buildings.

ADAPTABLE TO SEASONS, HOME IS ALWAYS WITH A BEAUTIFUL VIEW

By the Black Sea, retractable façade elements operate as flexible walls and create opportunities depending on choice, use of space and alternating climate conditions. Operable systems allow the use of villas during winter. Semi-open terraces and pergolas are overgrown with ivy in agreement with the verdant landscape, flowing over the walls and roofs.  Local stone, wood and glass are the materials used in harmony with the existing greenery and the sea view.  Repeating the patterns in alternating forms and masses create a mildly accelerating, holistic texture over the land.

BEING LOCAL IN THE WORLD’S HOLIDAY HUB

With reference to topography and the nature of the region, the angles of sun, winds, greenery and slopes of the terrain guided the land use of the program housing hotel, private villas and social areas which are constituents of the summer resort project in the South of Turkey. Close to the Bodrum Airport and being one of the major destinations of the Blue Voyage the land is easily accessible from the sea and by land routes. Integrated with the nature and aiming to welcome the sun in a controlled attitude and the breeze in the units during hot summer days, a mixture of semi-open and open spaces is the core of the design. Being one step away from the green and sea nearby the living space, even staying indoors, one feels as a part of nature, the artless setting.

The modernization period in the 19th century caused important changes in systems of both travel and accommodation systems. These changes inevitably affected the architecture of hotels and other buildings offering accommodation. The opening and development of hotels has continued until the beginning of the First World War in 1914. A work and even a symbol of modernization period in İstanbul, Tarabya Hotel was built in 1950’s and completely renovated between 2007-2013. A figure of grace and elegance among the high society of İstanbul with its afternoon tea rituals and weddings, The Grand Tarabya is a classic in local collective memory as well as a great memory for international guests. With all its glory and glamour, The Grand Tarabya is entirely renovated, has modernized its tradition. The Hotel is located by the Bosporus İstanbul and is known to be the second five star Hotel in İstanbul.

RESPECTING THE TRACES

Dubrovnik is the most popular tourist destination in Croatia, by the Adriatic shore. The original hotel building, destructed during the war and weather beaten, has been left abandoned for the last 14 years. A complete renovation, keeping only the carcass of the structure, has been the architectural approach. At the sea level, the application of the new landscape to the site engenders new functions, a spa unit being one of them. Extra room and bed capacity earned via new floors added at the top of the previous middle block. Having 315 rooms and 625 bed capacity, the hotel also houses three restaurants, a spa and health center, entertainment areas, meeting and conference halls. During the rehabilitation process, architectural design and façade preferences are evaluated together with the landscape; to establish a direct communication with the historic setting and the sea, transparent glass is preferred on the front and back façades. Respecting the traditional construction of the region, it is also anticipated taking the fullest advantage of the current industrial and technological developments in terms of structure and material use.

BUILDING FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS BRAND

Multi-storey high-rise office tower is located at the financial district of Istanbul housing companies of Zorlu Group, with offices varying from 300sqm to 1,350sqm. The complex consist of 170 meter major office tower with 41 office storeys and garden-offices at the 2-4 storeys low rise extension being the back wing at street level and below grade, relevant to the contours and backward sloping of the property. The roof of garden office blocks is designed as green landscape areas where building users benefit. the positioning of the masses naturally introduces three interior courts. Indentations in geometric forms of the main tower differentiate the four communal area separating three different office zones.

ARCHITECTURE FOR HIGH-TECH COMMUNICATION

Through the multi-level plan, grey colored metallic materials are paired with bright colors to create diversity at interiors and represent brand’s identity at each storey. Turkcell logo and their signature yellow & blue colors encompass the internal fabric of the space, complemented by a range of millworks and greenery. The design of the space is inspired by company’s informative-communicative techno character. Entering the three storey height lobbies the users immediately encounter with an immersive digital ceiling framing contemporary video art pieces. The choice of materials such as metals, diachronic films and meshes, in line with the concept of working both in virtual and physical spaces at the same time. The company’s executives sit in central areas, accessible to all employees. The open office areas connecting with large and small meeting rooms, break areas with pantries, and modular lounges allows for multiplicity of functions and freedom during office hours. In addition to fitness room, conference hall, many coffees and restaurants, and park-like roof garden, staff can hang out by day and enjoy the impressive views of the skyline. Giving employees a number of options to enjoy and creates opportunities for them to collaborate with one another while not officially at their desk engaging work.

MEDIA FIGURE

AMC is planned to be a distinctive media figure, housing Kazakhstan national radio and TV stations’ studios together with concert halls and office functions related to the media production. The complex takes up 75,500sqm, with studios and offices, and has fourteen major television studio units and four large audio recording sections. The building includes large public-use spaces on the main floors; the 1,000sqm concert hall sophisticates the public use. Media Center is not only a significant building structure but also a synergetic operation model blended the in the daily life of Astana, linking Kazakhstan efficiently to the rest of the world.

PERMEABLE AND TRANSPARENT WORKSPACE

The site is located at the Asian side of İstanbul, between two parallel roads, one being the highway to İstanbul’s second international airport Sabiha Gökçen. The main construction consists of 2 separate blocks with 7 and 9 floors, respective to the site topography.  Besides the office and residential floors, the anchor of the building is Pegasus Airlines. Above the Pegasus’ office, which has a direct entrance at the street level, there are office floors of the ESAS. The uppermost floors of the rear building are designed as residential units between 60 to 120sqm, to be rented by airline professionals and long term visitors. The facing building will be let for other offices. Soft curves of each two building, location of spaces and their connection arcs create an elegant flow; the major reason of the form comes from the idea of breaking the strong north-east wind. Curvilinear parallel facades of the two buildings produce a semi-sheltered, 20 meters wide pedestrian link that forms an integral part of the network of neighborhood connections. One of the attraction points of the modest complex is the “simulation zone” which is located below ground at the upper elevation; having transparent glass openings on top, the curious passers-by are welcome to take a look at.  Conceptually the building is a permeable and transparent workspace with the choice of visibility and interaction with the existing surroundings.

DYNAMIC MASSING, SPACIOUS INTERIORS

The owner of the pharmaceutical company is an elderly couple who would like the house feeling at the office; accordingly, scales, organization and aesthetics refer to residential settings, traditional İstanbul mansions. Juxtaposition of seven house-like volumes with hipped roofs forms the campus. The individual ‘houses’ integrate to each other either through gardens, roof gardens, upper or lower patios and paths and atriums. The brown color of the exterior brings up the soft wood effect and unifies the structure. Daylight enters through roofs and all transparent sides, creating a diffused lighting mood in the spacious internal space until the basement floor. To provide the balance of light and shadow and to increase the efficiency of passive climate control, the masses are enveloped with a designed mesh system. Three floors for office use and two underground floors are reserved for car parking of the five-storey structure. Above the car park, first basement floor is at the sunken garden level; besides offices, multi-purpose halls, staff dining hall, sports and lounge zone are located, with an easy access to the green landscape. In addition to the wide windows, interiors of the basement floor receive daylight also through atriums. The main entrance to the building is provided at the ground floor, by way of a bridge, side bridges link the roof terraces. Atriums and interior gardens create social zones between offices, located at the ground floor. “Private world” of both partners constructed as mezzanine duplexes at two ends of the top floor.

URBAN MOTIVATION

Kanyon is designed to be an up market neighborhood where interaction between the dwellers is motivated and all functions of contemporary city life are solved within the complex; which is a model of the new urban life. The tallest building of the complex is the 25 storey office tower, a concrete building sheathed in glass on the boulevard side. The residences with green terraces and roofs, 179 apartments with 20 different floor plans, varying in size from 80sqm to 380sqm, look over the open air shopping valley. Below the 15 storey residential block at split-levels, 4 stories along the site is reserved for the retail space for 170 shops, 9 theaters, a supermarket, restaurants, cafes, bars, sports and spa center, open and closed swimming pool. The 40,000sqm shopping area provides an open, natural street shopping atmosphere for all seasons, resembling traditional İstanbul shopping districts but avoiding the disadvantages of varying weather conditions. Designed by Tabanlıoğlu, Jerde and Arup joint partnership, Kanyon adds modern values to the city of İstanbul, defines new trends and grants a city square and a green, lively pedestrian zone in the heart of the city.

CUBE AS A PERFECT FORM AND MORE

DMC is planned to be a distinctive media figure, housing Turkey’s leading media group Doğan’s TV channels and newspapers. The main form of the building is planned to be a cube in respect to the square site; yet starting on the surface, the straight cube form deformed and restructured by again cubic annexes and subtractions that resulted in extra volumes. In accordance with topographic directions, slightly angled solutions of the modules on the front elevations and south-north axis enhance the vivacity. It’s a genuine building in terms of transparency; strong in-out correlation enables a well-defined description before getting in the building. Separate sections like studios and offices preserve their exclusivity; each segment is emphasized in the integral form of the reassembled blocks of cube. The emblematic use of façade creates a visually legible dynamic ambiance with reference to today’s colorful, fast moving and assertive image of the media. The building is strongly perceived form far and in diverse prospects at various angles due to dissimilar boxes at range of sizes and colors and angles, and materializes as an eye catching “sign”.

A NEW CORPORATE IDENTITY, EXTROVERT AND FLEXIBLE

With reference to the elevation and figures of existing environment and topography, compartments on top of each other from the 30 storey building in order to create flexible office spaces differing in height, size and plan. The base of the construction is defined by the slope born out of topography; first layer of the construction refers to the walls of the neighboring elderly house from late 19th century, the height of the first compartment befits the elevation of the elderly house; the compartment above respects the adjacent masses in stature; and very top compartment raises to gain a wide cityscape catching the views of Bosporus. Having a flexible zoning program the whole complex may be dedicated to only one brand, or the different compartments in the block may be occupied by singular brands while common zones are shared, or even those zones may be preferred as green offices with high ceilings depending on the location of the office unit. Each floor may function separately for private companies, or may be divided into six or four individual units; at certain levels where the ceiling height reaches up to 8 meters, duplex units gained, principally with double height atriums and interior gardens overlooking the cityscape. Open air catwalks protected by 2 meter high glass, balconies sometimes connected by stairs are reserved for office users for fresh air and to enjoy the city panoramas. Sheer glass use on the façade grants optimum daylight; patterns become sparse upwards on fritted glass applied for sun control.

HIGH OFFICE

The tower will consist of commercial office space with a public piazza before its entrance on the ground floor. Nidakule Levent is an A+ office project on the main axis of the Central Business District of Istanbul, on the european side of the city.

THE VISION FOLLOWS STRUCTURE

One of the biggest state-owned banks of Turkey, Vakıfbank plans to have its headquarters building in İstanbul. The Bank would like a reference to the ancient heritage. with the decision on Islamic patterns born out of mathematical wisdom, referring to the design motives shouldn’t be superficial but should be the basis of the main structure. Therefore instead of ornamental façade applications, the origin of the form and the construction will conclude in an oriental vision by the structural formation. Patterns on the elevation are born out of the main form of the construction.

LIVELY STOP AND SHOP

ASMP, a semi-open shopping facility inspired by climate and Aegean tradition of spending time outdoors, joins the city as a contemporary platform located between sea, mountain and road, forming a lively rest stop linking permanent and temporary. A semi-covered space created by use of metal mesh on the roof of the center. In the same manner, emphasis on creating a sense of arbor was supported by elements outside of the building. Open air patios offer a relaxing feeling under the shadow and glitters of the bower made up of contemporary material, mimicking grape leaves of the local landscape. The festive atmosphere fosters natural encounters of diver’s people.

OPEN WINDOWS TO SKY

Residential building rises in agreement with the surrounding high-rises and still in human scale by means of nature-friendly facilities like naturally ventilated vertical gardens. The façade consists of two independent shells; interiors are protected from adverse weather conditions and noise on account of the outer shell. As of fourth level, the form vaguely broadens downwards and the glass covering the surface of the building earns a curve and then extends horizontally as the skirt of the building, which covers the one whole space with restaurants and the retail space above which four separate housing zones (187 apartments) located; common areas between the zones house social areas, maintenance and support facilities. Observation deck open to public is located at the top two floors.  Environmental systems of the construction grant low energy consumption. Owing to the metro connection and the six underground car park levels, the transportation and the parking problems are solved.

A LANDMARK PROJECT FOR 21ST CENTURY İSTANBUL’S URBAN FABRIC

İstanbul has been home to diverse cultures and societies for thousands of years. The city, where civilizations meet, retains its rich cosmopolitan character and captivates international attention. On the main axis of the CBD, by the main roads and intersections of the city, Zorlu complex forms characteristic prospects, panoramas and visual axes in the urban landscape of today’s metropolitan area. Situated on possibly the most high profile site in İstanbul, with excellent road connections; the center has the potential to become one of the city’s most popular destinations. Contrast to a conventional development process, a clear set of precepts respected for developing human settlement in the urban context. The mix-use project houses various building forms with reference to desired functions, from shopping to entertainment, to residential and various accommodation facilities, as well as dining options and social venues, mainly a performance and concert hall. The landscape roof is a derivation of the original topography by geometric surfaces. Zorlu Center represents a dramatic environmental focal point for İstanbul. As a strong step in the modern history of the city, pedestrian walkways, shared public spaces and reforested landscape is created by redefining the zone. With the new soft and hard landscapes and overlooking the city at many angles, a grand park space, a city square is created amid the high rises emerging through the roof-shell which covers the shopping and recreation zone, and the convention hall located beneath it. Following the result of the competition, the project is developed in cooperation with EAA architects.

OPEN DOOR TO FUTURE AND TODAY

İstanbul is in the middle of a rapid process of enthusiastic urban transformation. The project, a dynamic and impressive gateway, will redefine the experience of contemporary downtown urban living. The mix-use project with wide public spaces and grand scale buildings, elements of urban and architectural qualities to create a 21st century modern city without compromising the outstanding universal values of İstanbul, is a landmark at the European crossing point. The existence of the property will bring meaning to its surroundings, and as a unique entity, the project will be the bridge.

THE SHOPPING PORT AND A BLACK SEA HOTEL

Samsun is an important coastal city, as well as being a maritime commerce zone connected to railways, airways and highways; projects are to welcome overseas visitors by boat from other countries having a coast on the Black Sea such as Ukraine, Russia and Georgia.  The idea is reflected on the concept in terms of “trade flows” and “the flow of people”. The emerging mixed-use project proliferate the social life via creative expertise to fit the challenges of transforming city. The first floor of the 13 storey hotel (14,500sqm above the ground) is at level 30m; the hotel provides maximum sea-view at all rooms. The function of 156 room five-star hotel will be enriched with the shopping mall linked to the hotel building.  The top floor of the 4 storey shopping unit is reserved as food court and entertainment, where maximum view is granted, in addition, the cinemas are at this section. Terraces serve as open air lounges where visitors enjoy the panorama. The Gross Leasable Area for shops is 62,000sqm.

SAME CLIENT, SAME ARCHITECT, RENEWED URBAN QUALITIES

This first shopping center of Turkey in a modern concept houses 138 shops. The complex is comprised of a building block with 5 storey having an atrium in the middle, a long building block with 3 storey opening to that, a big shop of 5 storey at the end of the long block and a large entertainment center containing 3 and 4 storey buildings. Pedestrian entrances, that are provided at the level of the coastal road lead to the atrium and the main galleries. The multi floor autopark that is located in the south of the complex is accesses from one floor below through moving stairways and stairs. All shops are located in an optical integrity, with natural illumination around the atrium on 2 stories. Visitors are able to locate all shops in a spatial integrity. The service aisles those are located longitudinally at the rear of shops lead to cargo lifts and loading-discharging docks for deliveries and waste disposal. After 20 years, the second generation Tabanlıoğlu Architects realized the renovation project with the same client. As one of the big issues in urban life is to make the city interactive so that people become truly cosmopolitan, units are redesigned to repair the collectivity of space and to renew physical and social capacity of the facility aiming to rebuild the ceremonial and informal public spaces of our era.

SIGN AND SYMBOL

Motorway direction signs, illuminated petrol station signs, gigantic internally illuminated advertising hoardings, corporate symbols, internationally recognized logos and customized shop fascias. Intended to inform, sometimes intrusive, occasionally amusing, frequently flamboyant, often mundane, at times provocative, they are rarely unnoticed. For better or worse, signs in their multifarious colorful forms are an integral part of urban life and a signifier of the spread of global capitalism. The Nova Factory and Office building is the headquarters of Turkey’s largest manufacturer of large format illuminated and non-illuminated signage. The ‘L shaped’ plan utilizes a simple orthogonal structure with a three storey office building incorporating showrooms and staff and visitor restaurants, fronting the flat roofed production space. A subtle curve is introduced in the main façade, a ‘trace’ of a wheel, alluding to the fact that the founder of Nova was formerly one of Turkey’s most accomplished motor rally drivers. Conceptually the building is itself a sign, a vast hoarding and an advertisement for the quality of the Nova product.

GREY GROUNDSCRAPER

The headquarters of the Doğan Media Group is located in İstanbul but to ensure prompt delivery of the company’s two popular daily newspapers, Hürriyet and Milliyet, they are printed in and distributed from a number of strategic locations in Turkey. The Doğan Printing Center in İzmir is, like its counterparts in İstanbul and Ankara, a large industrial ‘groundscraper’ that is organized around a 100 meters long by 16,5 meters wide linear print hall accommodating the state of the art printing press. The İzmir complex is strategically located on the outskirts of the city alongside a major highway and close to the airport. The simple geometry of the building arises from the superimposition of a production flow diagram upon a rational structural grid, resulting in two large rectangular ‘sheds’, accommodating the pre-print and post-print activities, flanking the print hall. The form is also determined by the requirement for large flat floorplates and vehicle maneuvering space. Between the print hall and the post-print block is a ‘breakout’ space in the form of rooftop garden. The linear space has a wooden deck and palm trees accessed from the staff dining room and administrative offices. The strong horizontal emphasis in the architectural form expresses the function of the Printing Center. The materials, mainly monochrome insulated metal panels, fair faced concrete blockwork and high level horizontal glazing, without superfluous embellishment, are similarly expressive of the building’s purpose.

DESIGNING FOR DESIGNERS

The land is bordered on three sides by transportation arteries and provides panoramic views both towards the direction of İstanbul and towards Edirne. The investment is made up of two separate entities, a furniture manufacture facility and a management/showroom area. The factory itself (the furniture manufacturing center) is more enclosed than the showroom section and while it evinces strong and clear lines architectural efforts was made to provide a continuity extending from through the use of interjections on the roof. An efficient roof lighting system is carefully designed for all units. The angles of the building determined to receive the most homogenous of daylight throughout the day. The bridges on the east-west side serve to monitor the interior of the factory.  The ground levels of the highway were used to determine the levels of the ground floor, thus permitting the establishment of a plateau which serves to support the exterior system.

Good News for Printing

Built on the road between Esenboğa Airport and the City Center, for Doğan Media Group, which is the biggest in Turkey, the center prints and delivers Doğan Publishing Group’s publications, mainly  Hürriyet and Milliyet, newspapers, to reach Anatolian reader in a quicker and easier manner, at best quality. The Center accommodates a large bobbin store, delivery room, pre-press technical units and a VIP lounge. An open office system is applied at pre-press unit, in order to grant genuine communication between white collar and blue collar and to ease work flow among staff and and speed up the process. The cylindrical entrance tower, with glass and steel construction, is a dominant element in the overall silhouette of the building. A complete transparency was the main idea in the tower in integrity which steel stairs and glass shuttle-lift. As the face cladding system, light aluminum panels between steel construction and aluminum ceiling is preferred.

BELONGINGNESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Being the most populated district of İstanbul, on the coast-line of Ataköy–Bakırköy district, the development is planned to provide high-end real estate opportunities. The land has many advantages; neighboring Ataköy residential zone and next to well-developed network of highways, railways and the main Airport of the city. Situated on the coast of İstanbul at the southern end of the Bosphorus Strait, open to sea transportation alternative to heavy traffic, the site is only eight kilometers from international Atatürk Airport connecting the city to the rest of the world. The project will provide an immediate presence at its exceptional location as well as making a significant market impact. Targeting betterment and contemporary development of the area, high-quality, residential will attract both local and international clients.

RE-BUILDING LIVING SPACES AND OPPORTUNITIES

İstanbul expanding towards every direction but the core stays the same, the first example of western municipal office of the city Beyoğlu, known as Pera, across the old city and overlooking the Golden Horn, has always been the center for social, cultural and artistic life of modern İstanbul. Until recently it was rundown and neglected despite its striking 19th century buildings. Now, it’s regaining its historic significance, especially after renovation of the office of Municipality; boutique hotels, novel restaurants and art galleries spilling towards Golden Horn. With regard to reconfiguration of the urban spaces, Beyoğlu Municipality desires to revitalize the plot, framed by their office at the upper end, aiming to gain a public space where citizens and visitors meet. Benefiting the slope, next to landscaped stripes, seats are gained for the flaneur and for the audience of events. Aiming to restore the urban fabric through creation of a well integrated meeting space, an effective infrastructure set ready to pop up for concerts, exhibitions or festivals. As the articulation of the urban space, the pool is situated at a location that reflects its surrounding and with a stunning view of the Golden Horn and Historic Peninsula history, where people gather around.

A GLOBAL CENTER GLITTERING 24 HOURS A DAY, EVERY DAY

Already recognized in terms of novelty, scope and size, Dubai, as a global crossroad, evolving to be a unique destination. Experienced massive property developments, the architectural cat walk of the world, the city is a dynamic business hub and a tourist heaven, offering attractions, wide shopping alternatives, fine dining and classy hotels. But most of all, it is a “new place” for the rapidly changing world, so novelty is the most significant quality of the ever fresh city, preparing for the World Expo 2020 under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. As one of the new destinations of fashion, the landscaped shoreline and the water view with the best cityscape of Dubai grants the finest location for the project to evolve into an extravagant venue vivified by a performance center, which is the core of central hub. The other highlight of the development, this the “Museum”, awarded with a marina and yacht club reaching the man-made archipelago which is the elongation of the landscape. The project gathers integral urban units in a mixed use approach, where diverse functions adjoining each other, within the flow of a continual organization like a ribbon, to create social and commercial success. Confluence of spaces and buildings of different functions identifies the unified sense of place. Keeping away from strict segregation, the distinct zones are still apparent and in relation with other function areas, due to conceptual porosity and physical organization. Socially significant and stimulating environment visually and organization wise responds to the mildness and integrity of water.

REJUVENATION OF THE LIVELY VALLEY

The aim is to revive the region and to reestablish its historical credit as a green and lively valley, linking to the center. Considered as an urban betterment project, the masterplan is to gain an urban layer of 21st century. The idea is supported by the reanimation of the Kağıthane River that will engender a natural living environment in the city center. Ineffectively used, precious inner city area will be regenerated and regained with all inclusive regulations sensitive to social changes and needs and daily requirements, in a humane approach such as reintroducing nature in the city center. Highest hill of the area has been recognized as the height boundary and attention for the tallest building belonging to the construction section in the master plan to not exceed this boundary has been paid.  Housing shall be performed in areas located between two green areas by rising upward from the creek. With this approach, housing proposed to be lower in zones near the coastline will have the capability of being taller at certain points as it furthers away; consequently enable gaining more of the green area without expending horizontally.

THE URBAN TRANSFORMATION CLAIMS THE SHORELINE

Located at a very crucial point in İstanbul, and having survived many centuries as the gate to the sea, the Galata Port reclaims various functions with the new project, and will complement an additional value to İstanbul as a center of culture, tourism and commerce. Project covers over 1,2km zone with an open area of 100,000sqm and a construction area of 151,66sqm, where the existing buildings will be harmoniously renovated respecting their authentic forms and acquire new functions. Being a customs zone, the shoreline is presently not open to the access of the people of İstanbul. With the realization of the project, both the tourists and the natives of İstanbul will benefit the offered resources on a 24-hours basis throughout the year. An art museum, hotels, restaurants, bars, fast food joints, all kinds of souvenir shops, shopping centers, office spaces, exhibition and fair areas, car parks and various sales points will ensure an accountable return as a result of the project.

SEAWARDS A MULTI-LAYERED TOWN

The project land currently occupied by industrial facilities and scattered housing units, carries the risk of transforming into a derelict region, unless an urgent urban planning is presented. On the other hand, the land has many advantages; neighboring Kartal, the alternative CBD of İstanbul; being by the sea and surrounded by greenery; and next to well-developed network of highways, railways and the secondary Airport of the city. The project offers self-sufficient urban units of a mixed use approach as in the old Turkish towns, providing different urban and socio-economical probabilities and possibilities in a sustainable environment.

SOCIAL SCULPTURE

The existing construction primarily started as an office building; the construction is redesigned as a residence within the Loft concept. The existing wall separating the building from the two adjacent factories is furbished as a “green wall”; next to it a natural atmosphere is created by the Zen gardens. The building is not only designed as a housing facility but also it is planned to be a high quality social venue. The entrance is made through the lobby; meeting rooms, health center, cafés and restaurants are the other public areas at this level. Offering an efficient, tranquil life style in modern day standards in “downtown”, LL is an alternative to the trendy condominiums built in suburbs. The complex is supported by the recent technologies. The large car park, storage, central heating and ventilation, security, maintenance services and “intelligent house” system grant a user-friendly environment and easy access. The long, thin planned building is located on a total 3,870sqm area, the front block consists of 11 stories above the ground floor, and the rear block is ground-floor +7 stories. Lofts are at various sizes and types; differing from 68 to 182sqm; including duplexes. The façade is perceived as an assortment of boxes;  each unique module shall be distinguished from outside due to the curtain system, a range of colors and light will be reflected from inside, as a method of benefiting functional solutions for esthetics purposes.

SPACE FORMATIONS

Following the success of first Levent Loft, Loft Gardens is designed in the concept of “soft loft”. The 21 storey mid-rise transparent residence block comprised of loft apartments at various size and forms; nature friendly with its vertical gardens designed as private walkout terraces, balconies, and garden patios. The loft apartments have floor-to-ceiling, one piece, energy efficient windows opening to the city panorama; wealth of natural light creates more commodious and ambient spaces. Exposed ductwork, concrete flooring, masonry and corrugated steel elements are kept in the spirit of openness and creativity that are integral to loft design. Yet, the apartments have defined spaces, especially bedrooms, and they feature high end kitchen and bathroom fixtures and finishes and fine flooring whilst the key elements of openness and versatility in loft design are respected.

SHOPPING FACILITIES AS THE NEW COMMUNITY CENTERS OF OUR ERA

A large, densely populated middle class residential area of İstanbul, between the E5 main road and the coast of the Sea of Marmara, Bakırköy is an important shopping and commercial center for İstanbul, especially considering the spatial distribution of shopping malls with respect to population. Today, Shopping malls are no longer simply a collection of retail outlets but a meeting point with many other attractions. In short they have become a major recreational focus and the means to regenerate urban communities. As an alternative to frequency of shopping centres and existing characteristics of trade areas in the region, Marmara Forum is a unique and compact festival market place, which would grab the imagination of citizens of all age and style, not only shoppers. The new image is not only offering the goods to buy but also it becomes a new gathering zone for social motives. The project is a good example of the qualities inspired by the people of all standards, especially families. Whereas the inhabitants in the catchment area is approximately 1,500,000, designed to be inclusive and to attract a broad spectrum of socio-economic groups by introducing a variety of activities, Forum Marmara will receive visitors from all regions of İstanbul. Being surrounded by the main access routes of the city, it is anticipated that the size, visibility and transparency will also encourage passers-by to enter. The urban mall connects with the city both visually and physically. In terms of aesthetics and functionality, the project is conceptually innovative yet financially feasible which is proved on a number of occasions. As to the interior of the mall, the landscaped public space is surrounded by cafes and restaurants and is designed to attract families and to extend the appeal of a shopping trip. The roof terrace above the shopping facility provides an elevated viewing platform with a wide panorama of Sea of Marmara and the cityscape.

REVIVING A TRADITION IN THE CONTEMPORARY FORM

For many years, unplanned and uncontrolled clusters of similar buildings, many of them without architects and even without building permits, resulted in poor environmental growth. Alternatively, in accordance with the Bosporus latter view area and building regulations, a contemporary residential project consisting of three low-Rise apartment blocks is planned, primarily envisaging the protection of the silhouette.  On the direction of Bosphorus overlooking the Istinye road, the transparent façade dissolves in the greenery and opens up to the view whereas the rear side of the building is preferred to be more introvert protecting the sub-rosa of the bedrooms facing the exiting residential development. Extra volumes granted spacious rooms with high ceilings. Less lighted section in the middle of the blocks are reserved for the wet areas.  The apartment blocks rise on a single console housing the shared areas reaching the landscape. As the crucial element of the architecture are the terraces and balconies; integrated with the existing green environment, the open areas divided from interiors only by transparent glass walls which are also flexible to operate wide open, so the living rooms may become an elongation of the exterior at times. With a new architectural approach, the internal continuity of the forms of the project units is planned while environmental harmonization is counted as a must. The communal areas located at the console and the surrounding mutual garden serve as a gathering platform for the neighbors.

FROM STONE QUARRY TO NEW LIFE

Capital Ankara is Turkey’s second largest city after İstanbul. The site, Gölbaşı district includes the Mogan and Eymir lakes that are valuable natural resources and popular picnic and excursion spots of the city. The project site is an old stone quarry. 108,000sqm project land is defined as for 152,000sqm construction, housing-led mixed use with a 7,000sqm retail zone, housed at the podium of the construction. Terrace housing composes the contours of the horizontal block, and the residential towers rise above them. In addition, resembling the local architecture, 4 to 6 floor apartment building typology is preferred as an the illustrative of the street façade. Mix of relevant typologies, with gardens and terraces, residences differ in size and form; the towers grant wide alternatives.

A wide range of housing mix aims to bring socially divers users together. Long and thin arc shaped land overlooks the Lake. Ensuring privacy to every house without losing the views and natural light, all units situated in the zigzag form at optimum angles, in order, to exclusively benefit the natural panorama. Reaching from the street level, the retail and promenade valley smoothly welcomes the pedestrians in to the open, semi-open and closed spaces. Over the retail zone, the roof of the plinth is designed as a green landscaped interval before the residents. The houses are situated above this man-made ground, sharing the communal area dedicated to dwellers only, hence, the semipublic layer smoothly clears off the public layer dedicated to retail area below the podium. The back side of the retail shelters the two storey underground parking. Backing the buildings, the existing remains of the rocks of the quarry kept as they are, and the natural texture is enriched with greenery aiming to respect the genius loci. Moreover, the colors and the textures of rock walls are mimicked on the solid facades of all buildings.

MASSIVE AND PROTECTED BUT NEVER INTROVERTED

Doha’s emerging business district, the Corniche is a waterfront promenade along the Doha Bay. On the contrary to neighboring high-rises, that are frequently sheer glass, the building will look more massive and protected but never introverted. The construction rises on a circular plan; 14 columns carry the whole structure with a 52 meter radius. The core is situated in the middle and the units placed around it; the floor plans give the impression of a pie chart. Like a saw-toothed edge of a leaf, the plan of the installation looks like a cogwheel, due to the organization of vertical screening slabs. The indents and cogs born out of the basic footprint becomes an integral part of the floor planning. Twisting above the plinth, the high-rise erects smoothly from the ground level. The base appears like the skirt of the main body, the vertical slabs attenuate the robust mass of the building while providing a sun screen spinning around the whole surface. The high performance façade allows glass openings and opaque surfaces relatively, depending on the sun direction. The vertical lines enfolding the structure create a more fragile impression then one thick standard block, rising over the podium resembling folding drapes of an evening gown. The outer shell, in the form of ribs, arrays sequential openings, through which the interiors receive efficient daylight. The opaque form is produced in glass fiber reinforced concrete, a lightweight high-tech building material that eases the construction process. Articulated with perforations, the concrete portions allow diffused light to fill spaces of the interiors, creating a shady, tranquil and almost a spiritual environment.

PIONEER IN URBAN TRANSFORMATION

A first step forward in the process of urban betterment and developing healthy living conditions in Fikirtepe, Yenitepe project benefits the advantages of its central location, being open to panoramas, surrounding greenery and accessibility of the site. The project offers self-sufficient urban units, mainly apartment buildings, of a mixed-use approach with stores and food & beverage facilities on the street level that stimulate the urban vibration.

A FAMILIAR TOWN, A NEW LIFE

Renovia İstanbul is rising in the heart of the Anatolian side of the city, Fikirtepe, for all those who want to experience Istanbul. With modern living spaces, lively streets, a spectacular view of the Marmara Sea, and the chance to live in the center, a part of the urbanization process, the project is the “new European” of Kadıköy with a contemporary infrastructure and state of the art design.

OPEN, WELCOMING AND FESTIVE

The E5 Shopping Center, a compact festive market place, is located on the main road, in a large, densely populated middle class residential area of İstanbul, an important shopping and commercial zone for İstanbul. The design is an elegant, steel and glass, five storey ‘U’ shaped boxes. The interior is proposed as a spacious atrium surrounded by shops, sides linked by bridges, a basic of the center is the ice rink. Subverting the earliest mall concepts, which were inward looking entities, a glazed atrium faces the highway exposing the inner activity of the shopping center to the gaze of passersby. The projecting box with a terrace accommodating cafes and restaurants overlooks the cityscape.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

The project serves the densely populated Merter district, a predominantly residential area. Conceptually the building is akin to a giant ‘market stall’. Responsive to local needs and to accommodate people from all districts of İstanbul, the building comprises three main spaces; a hypermarket at the basement level above the two storey underground parking lot, a flexible space for retail and food court on two upper levels, and a pedestrian link that forms an integral part of the network of neighborhood connections. The ‘passage’ through the building encourages passing trade and community interaction. Traversing the mall alongside the green band over the hypermarket block, the pedestrians reach to the front end that is connected to the metro station. All functions unified beneath a “retractable” roof where no surrounding walls around the shopping zone; the shops on both floors have their own separating walls. Brute concrete and transparent material from the semi-open retail area. The open façades and outward orientation of the retail complex make a significant contribution to the district. The overhanging canopy extends on sides of the upper terraces, with irregular transparent rectangular openings bringing daylight to the interior. The food-court is mainly placed by the corner terrace of both floors looking over the park, cafes and seating areas located at the second floor between the bridges above the passage.

JOINING THE CITYSCAPE

Open to various vistas and reflections by the ocean, two crystalline towers offer 360 degree panorama of the city of Dubai, on “the walk”, a few steps from the beach. Located in a vibrant quarter, the mixed use project is mainly composed of a 35 storey apartment block and 30 storey hotels. Transparent, multifaceted structural forms attract people visually, as well as with its urban facilities planned at the lower levels of the two towers, such restaurants, high-end shops, spas etc. Dissimilar triangles, with differing angles at horizontal and vertical, form the façade resulting in a crystal like surface reflecting the glitters of the ocean and its surroundings. Framed in a glass skin, every angle at each tower respects the others view and rise without hindering others’ vista opening to various angles of the city and the ocean. The transparent figures join the cityscape in harmony and contribute in the dramatic silhouette by the shore, not only as an elegant sculpture but also as a communicative social entity.

PUBLIC-SPIRITED PRESENCE OF ICONIC RESIDENTIAL TOWERS BY THE SEA

TOBB Zeytinburnu brings a contemporary lifestyle to Bakırköy, the deep-rooted neighborhood of İstanbul, that the local identity and culture stimulates interest in the waterfront and creates a unique sense of place. Located by the coastline, the residential led mixed-use project with six towers framing public spaces will activate a lively urban mood. Apartments at all levels of the towers are wide open to typical Bosphorus view. The urban complex, dominated by public spaces with a mix of uses are in seamless interaction between inside and outdoors, especially dining capacities with their open air facilities use the advantage of moderate climate. By the precious shoreline of İstanbul, the project aims a festive atmosphere with markets, displays, celebrations, concerts, spontaneous meetings and other high-energy gatherings. Benefiting the advantage of the diversity of waterfront use, day and night, the communal areas establish a convivial setting for social interaction. The retail capacity, integrated with social facilities, is designed to thrive year round will reap substantial community and economic benefits. Flexibility in the design of the place helps programming and management in serving diverse functions and uses. Surrounded by piazzas, parks, and courtyards, the residential landmark shares the contemporary standards with the city through flexibility and its public-spirited presence.

HIGHEST SETTING OF THE CAPITAL

Owing to its panoramic scene, the land has a huge architectural potential. The project site is close to campuses of embassies, to newly developing settlements and retail facilities. The program of the project designed with reference of its location, land advantages and the beautiful view. The most distinctive quality of the design is that it belongs to that place starting with the formation of the mass that respect the limitations of the land and topography as well as geometric features and elevation differences, it is a residential led mixed-use project. The building is shaped according to the layers of the land, overlooking the valley; the residential tower rises above the terraced structure allocated for communal areas. The 48 storey tower reaching a height of 184 meters behaves as an extension of the city with the lower stories stretching into the open, semi-open and closed common areas. 5 storey retail zone with 30,000sqm rentable area, in addition to shopping facilities, includes a pleasant food court with different alternatives merged with recreational areas that invite all Ankara people to come together to indulge in the 360 degree city view and promenade. This is a meeting point for the urban dwellers, not just another residential building or only a shopping mall.

A NOVEL STIMULATION BY THE SEA

İzmir Bayraklı is new prestige region for real estate investments. Mixed-use projects, which have commercial, housing, tourism and other buildings in the same parcel, are gaining intensity, in the new prestige region. The residential led mixed-use project includes retail units that merge with public spaces mainly at ground floors. To contribute region’s changing life style and its silhouette, buildings altogether form a vibrant organization, physically and visually.

A DYNAMIC, SYNERGETIC, MODERN URBAN STAGE, RESPECTFUL TO LOCAL VALUES

Belgrade’s urban tissue is changing in terms of the city’s physical and spatial structure, urban landscape and life in the city. Project by the Sava River will modify the waterfront and pioneer the newly developing quarter. Two residential towers, benefiting beautiful panoramas of the river, link to each other via the base that function as a semi-closed shopping facility that is rather flexible and interactive with the boulevard behind and green sidewalks thanks to passages between the shopping and dining areas on the street level. The console housing semi-closed shopping facilities is ready to act as a social hub enlivened with catering facilities. A balanced combination of solid and transparent façade, facing north-west is well preserved against winds and still open to the vistas of the Sava River. The interiors benefit the optimum daylight in a controlled manner.

URBAN RENOVATION

The site is known as the pioneering zone for multi-family apartment buildings of İstanbul in the beginning of the 20th century. The project aims to restore the urban fabric and citizen interaction through the creation of well integrated functions and developments within a 21st century architectural vocabulary. The project blends with the existing mid-rise architecture and creates a comfortable and healthy environment that provides outdoor spaces and facilities, shops and cafes to establish an urban quarter linked to pedestrian routes with good transportation connections including the subway access. The project naturally becomes a passage between diversities and an urban meeting space. Architectural attitude of the lively quarter will also repair the damage upon the social and economic fabric, as well as the betterment of building quality. The renewed social relations will create a contemporary life around the magnetic public spaces in a dynamic and pleasant neighborhood.

THE GLOCAL SYMBOL, SPIRIT OF THE LAND EMBRACES THE FUTURE

The site, located in the city of Tripoli, in the proximity of the city center and 0,5 km from the seaside. The building will be nested in a landscaped frame that is planned to be the prolongation of the evolving Green Belt, welcoming the public. As the maximum height of the building is limited to 50 meters, surrounding reflecting pools designed to mirror the building image that its vision doubled and look even more epic, and designates a promenade also with its cooling effect. Tripoli has a wealth of old and new monuments, like the monumental Roman sites in Libya, the impressive contemporary building adds to the vocabulary of the 21st century, as a pride of the nation today. The monolithic appearance of the structure enriches the feeling of security and stability. The solid exterior form of the structure demonstrates the resilient presence of the national banking industry, whereas this powerful skin envelops the transparent inner form of the dynamic organization and the spaces. Behind the inner glass façade, indentations formulate lively terraces and social areas, providing a flexible office atmosphere. Basically four dissimilar, integral masses linked to each other on the margins of an almost square form leaving a patio in the middle, compose the building. The ribs on the outer façades grant a 25% opening, whereas the inner facades overlooking the patio has a %50 opening, as the building masses facing each other naturally create a more shadowy atrium. The roofless atrium serves as a private patio for the building users, to enjoy open air leisure atmosphere, relax and get together informally.

CONNECTING PLACES AND PEOPLE

Located on the axial ceremonial route from the Presidential Palace, the new train station promotes a positive change starting from the close vicinity as the synergetic effects of transportation investments are highly upgrading for the regions that become a part of the network. The public realm, because of its anticipated intensive usage, is highly legible, robust and sustainable. Articulating the urban space, the structure of the roof is considered as a major element in building the space. The monolithic roof system is an integral part of the structure of the station. The main bearing construction of the lightweight roof is steel; the design refined to optimize strength and stiffness, and provides an economical yet durable configuration with good resistance against weather conditions. Three continuous plates are running from one end to other as wavy lines, with intervals between them.

The curved form peaked over the main area that provides eligible conditions for the travelers. Cantilevered roof structure create a spectacular effect while granting a long protective, but still open air waiting zone, extending to both ends. The multi-layered center provides easy access during transfers especially when exchanging from one system to other. The underground passage enables smooth access to the metro station. Above the link, there is an urban park.

BALANCE OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

Defined as “non-place” according to Marc Augé, the terminal building is one of the most typical examples of standard spaces you can see all around the world. Although such buildings are accepted to be the embodiment of globalization and super-modernity, Bodrum Airport aims to get rid of the pressure and monotony created by compulsory standards and becomes a special spot, not only for travel, but also significant to the region it connects. Composition of secondary elements and finishes create the atmosphere of holidays and soothe the passengers, whereas the primary elements have clear directions and a strong official organization proving easy circulation of passengers within the terminal. The sense of wealth created with minimum use of columns, high ceilings and optimum daylight received through sides and roof relieves the tension of journeys event at the most depressing straits such as the security search and passport check points. Four terraces provide the opportunity to be at open air even after controlled entrance to the building. Accessing the terminal by the glass bridges, passengers pass over a green landscape arranged with banana and olive trees, daphnia and paper flower, all favorable for Bodrum climate. The suspended ceiling made up of lightweight aluminum rods facilitates the maintenance process of the mechanical systems behind it. The integrity and one-piece impression is enriched by the harmony of material, supported by opaque, screen printed or sheer glass and local natural stone on different directions of façades. Use of local black marble on the floors emphasizes the effect of continuity and depth in the terminal.

THE NEXUS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Istanbul In Yenikapı, infrastructure is ideal in terms of functional rapport yet what’s missing was the articulation of the urban space; as a method of styling the joints in between the formal elements, architectural design was the major requirement to build the relation; city space is expected to extend from surface to subsurface, and vice versa. Avoiding imposing an icon, the structure is not aimed to perform a dominant attitude; on the contrary, the structure is considered as one of the elements in building the space. The objects of urban living integrate seamlessly with sunken public piazzas of the Center, being its coupling interface with the city. Yenikapı becomes the nexus of all underground connections related to the city surface smoothly in the course of the lower piazzas created under a semi-permeable roof system.  The protecting shield designates the space; the permeable elements filter the daylight into the sunken piazza that creates a holly vision, besides feeling of spaciousness, exploring new possibilities of contemporary temples where people meet. The passer-by’s or the stroller’s curiosity is first piqued by the display units of the City Archive, located in the piazza; challenged with the first encounters at this strata, one may choose to become a stalker towards the Archeopark* and the main expedition area that is designed as the site museum; the units of exhibition is stretched towards the Archeopark area, preserving the street level building relation. Museum is designed in relative pieces which may be consumed separately or totally in an order.

*Excavations undertaken during the application of the transportation projects, both the remains of a 1600 year old “Theodosius Port” together with the “35 antique ship remains” of the World’s largest fleet collection and more than 10,000 archeological founding were unearthed. At the same excavation area, 8500 years old settlements of first Neolithic age were also found.

SPORTING SYMBOL

Intended to be a symbol of the burgeoning new capital of Kazakhstan, the Astana Stadium has a spectacular elliptical form and a retractable roof that can be closed in harsh winter weather conditions to protect the players, the spectators and the playing surface. Located on the highway connecting the airport to the city the stadium is principally designed as a venue for soccer but it can be adapted for other sports and various events. The venue, set within extensive landscaping, has quickly become a landmark in the city. The 30,000 seats stadium was conceived as a large amphitheater with a distinctive and instantly recognizable form when viewed from a distance and from close proximity. Essentially a two tiered structure, the lower terrace, accommodating 16,000 seats, encircles the playing area while the upper stand on the east and west sides seats a further 14,000 spectators. All spectators are seated and have a clear sight line with an unobstructed view of the field of play. Spectators is welcomed and discharged via 24 separate portals. The playing surface is covered in high quality grass surface specified to meet FIFA and UEFA criteria.

SIGNAL BEACON

In finding the form of the shell of the stadium, inspiration for us was the drop of rain on a leaf. On contact with a leaf surface, water droplets tend to minimize their surface trying to achieve a spherical shape, in the meantime, when a drop of water hits a surface, liquid particles spray around the globule and compose a wet corona around it, causing a minor cave in at the collision point. The project aims to create an alternative relation between the stadium area and the adjacent existing urban tissue, visually and socially. Proposing strategies that minimize the environmental impact of the intervention, the design is considered to be like minded for easy manufacturing and installation, so that hi-tech material selected for lightweight convenient packaging, shipping and maintenance. The roof and façade behave together as a monolithic element; the integrated modules forming an uninterrupted appearance support one-piece sensitivity due to compact material use. Designed in the form of oculus, the retractable roof opens and closes with the principle of the shutter of the camera. The only access to the stadium is from the street level; the passages and gates to the stadium are below the park, preferred to be invisible so that detached from the main element, the globe; in addition to exits, the sunken venue, which behaves as a socializing engine of the town, accommodates a multifunctional urban complex with special shops, catering facilities and several piazzas. The precinct is designed as a dynamic “fan zone”. The perimeter of the stadium is designed as a city park that becomes a vital element for the quarter. Enriched with soft and hard landscape and water elements, the park is planned to be a part of the hospitality village during Olympics and also a safe disaster relief zone. Big white globe is the signal beacon that calls to get together, especially at night, radiating light to its environs. The building serves the town directly and candidly.

URBAN, MIND AND SPORTS

Krasnodar preparing for World Cup of FIFA 2018, the stadium will be a magnet for public interaction with its surroundings; landscaped space motivates pedestrian routes through the green site, enriched with shops, cafes and leisure activity zones. Before getting into the stadium, as a part of it, the precinct is designed as a dynamic “fan zone” where spectators gather before and after the games. Besides being a stimulating and enjoyable place to visit for football fans, the ring around the stadium is designed as a public park that serves the neighborhood in non-match days, as well. The form of the stadium resembles the Mobius Band; constructed on a 44,6 hectares site, the plan is a square with curved corners, nested in the landscaped public setting. The stadium is conceived as a three tiered solution for 50,633 seats, with 72 separate portals around the stadium. Wind animated exterior façade, composed of thousands of aluminum panels, move with the air motion. Inspired by artist Ned Khan’s design, the facade consists of a vertical veil of rotating vertical fins that wraps around the stadium spanning between the two perimeter steel structural sections. The currents reveal the ever changing patterns with glitters on the surface. As the panels sway free, without touching each other, they do not generate a noise, yet a continuously engaging flow creates a meditative and aesthetic vision.

A ROOF FOR PEACE

Typical geography and the natural values has been the inspiration for the project; Baobab trees of Senegal are distinctive with their enormous girth, they live over a thousand years, so that they have been important landmarks in Senegal’s dry savanna plain. Surrounding water element and the girth of the masses of the project refer to the resource values. In history, kings were crowned beneath a tree, parley with envoys beneath the shadowy leaves and branches and trees mark the central public squares of polities; like being sheltered by an ancient monumental tree, the one piece roof of the project encases the building stacks, and guards each construction dedicated to a special function against weather conditions like direct sunbeams and wind. The units of the complex connected via water and bridges linking the separate blocks. The rectangular blocks are nested in a metal envelop, twisted blades forming the texture of the mesh screen behaves like sun break and grants a shady interior without hindering the accent of transparency. Through the placement of panels in variations at different angles, the façade is playful, glittering with day light, and reflecting on the surrounding water element, floating expression of the building becomes a dramatic illustration on the landscaped pool. Entering the complex is made possible at all sides, highly secured presidential entrance is on the north-east, and main entrance is on south-east concluding the promenade, the major axis. Presidential entrance directs to the main conference hall, a rectangular space at the first floor, 1500 delegates gather where presidents face the audience from the stage. An executive meeting room for 75 presidents is at the first floor and connects to VIP restaurant situated above the museum. VIP is a separate block linked to the main hall via transparent connection bridge; around the conference hall backstage, there are lobbies, lounges, Experts hall and VIP rooms. The center will welcome the delegates of nations under its roof for peace, like the motto of Senegal “One People, One Goal, One Faith”.

AFRICAN HARMONY

The Congress Center is situated by the ocean and surrounded by the woods. The lacy texture of the mesh behaves like sun break and grants a shady interior without hindering the accent of transparency, protecting the inner glass walls reduces heat that improves building’s energy efficiency. Double space atrium-lobby grants a feeling of spaciousness, and creates a wide circulation zone. The main conference hall is a rectangular space at the first floor, with a circular seating design, situated amid the structure and accessed through the connecting lobbies at three sides. The restaurant overlooking the bay is at the first floor flanked by the foyer.

PRESIDENTIAL REPRESENTATIVE

Open to the world cultures and where diverse languages meet up, Tripoli Congress Center is a strong element of high representation and welcomes presidents of the world in the texture of the natural environment. Surrounded by the woods, the rectangular two storeys ‘block’ is nested in a semi-transparent metal envelop as a “shield” that opens up to the external landscape with a wide portico that defines the main entrance. Between the mesh and the inner glass walls, a semi-open shady circulation area is created as an extension of the landscape, provides natural cooling. Incise patterns inspired by the trees around the site, permit controlled daylight to diffuse into the central space and at night the oozing beams through the slits integrate with the wood at the background. It is simple but functional and finds its expression in clarity and sincerity.

A CENTER FOR THE SUFI AND 365 DAY OPEN MEETING CENTER FOR ALL

Settled life in Konya starts since the prehistoric period. The city was capital city of Anatolian Seljuk’s and continued its reputation and esteem during the Ottoman period. The founder of Sufi tradition Mevlana lived and died in the city, like many other important personage of culture. The city receives many visitors especially for Whirling Dervishes assemblies. The lack of an efficient cultural center is motivated the Municipality of Seljuk to establish a multi-use urban structure that houses all kinds of social activities including annual rituals of Semah, over all a 365 day open meeting center for the citizens. Starting with a small piazza before the entrance, the center aims to welcome diverse social groups at all times for various reasons. Open character of the building is punctuated BY the vast opening designed as the entrance from the main road. Back and side entries welcome pedestrians and those WHO drive, with its 9,500sqm parking capacity. The functions include a 2,200 seat concert/congress hall, 800 seat theatre, 1,000 person capacity ball room, pocket cinemas, workshops, smaller meeting and VIP rooms, café and restaurant. Under a gigantic roof separate boxes unite through their lobbies that link to each other flexibly.

LIVING CULTURE

Respecting site’s history and texture, the congress center preserves essence of local values in terms of material use, patterns, colors and use of space. Project, basically housing a main conference hall, emerges from the inside out, and becomes a sheltered place of uniting international representations. Strong in/out relation provided by transparency, integrated spaces and through inner gardens and patios. Reference values of living culture and vernacular tradition, grants building ability to make the user think and feel in local ambiance. The robust looking structure enveloped by a natural stone facade articulated with perforations that allow diffused light to fill interiors; endless geometric patterns like mandala unifies the shell. During different hours of day, light shifts and plays across interior spaces and gardens creating a serene and natural environment, and imbues a hue while granting natural climate control system. Indentations create gardens at upper levels and form unique modules, so spaces distinguished from outside. Dynamic interior flow is initiated with the landscaped inner patio/atrium on the ground floor which is visible since the entrance of the building which is made through porticos, the middle one being the sublime port that is also a reference to striking local doors of Morocco.

LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS

Beyazıt State Library is one of the oldest state libraries in İstanbul, founded in 1884 as the “Kütüphane-i Umumi-i Osmani”. The Library can be found in Beyazıt Square adjacent to Beyazıt Mosque built by Sultan Beyazıt II and completed in 1506. Beyazıt Square is today the most vibrant space in the old part of the city. The restoration of the State Library has involved the sensitive reorganization of the interior and careful restoration of the building fabric with its prominent multi-domed roof. A modest extension, respectful of the scale of the existing building has been added to the northeast façade of the existing Library. The area around the State Library is infused with historical connections of a literary nature. The book bazaar, a courtyard on the site of the Byzantine book and paper store, can be found to the south east of the Mosque and can be entered either from Beyazıt Square or from the Grand Bazaar via the Beyazıt Gate. The restoration of the Beyazıt State Library is exemplary. The ‘minimal intervention’ approach ensures the spirit of the place survives while modern facilities are grafted onto the historic fabric.

A PHENOMENAL AND LOGICAL STRUCTURE

Russia’s exclave in Europe, Kaliningrad is the westernmost regional center of the Russian Federation, and plays an important role in the maintenance of the Russian Baltic flee. Located at the crossroads of a multiplicity of cultures where Germans, Greeks, Armenians, Poles, Russians and Lithuanians live side by side, it is home to almost one million people. The project area is nearby Kant’s island where his grave is in Königsberg’s Cathedral which is reconstructed. The quarter is aimed to be the new center to trigger the urban transformation of the city, core of the program being arts and culture, so to attract diverse people of social groups of the residents. New complex is to be formed around public spaces to meet, buildings housing functions of congress centers, museum and galleries supported and enriched by retail and catering facilities. The concept of the project emerges from Kant’s philosophy of a structure that is considered to be a priori -logically independent of experience; with the status of the “thing-in-itself” that the ultimate reality presumably lurks behind the apprehension of an object. Castle of Königsberg, today, exists by its absence. The project articulates this waning by unearthing original footprint of castle. Unveiled traces of the castle is preserved as an archaeological park and surrounded by the new structure, the void is emphasized. Furthermore, as a compliment, the exterior wall of the castle is extracted and reused it as the inner wall of the new building.

NON-INTERVENTIONIST APPROACH

A competition called for proposals for the Middle East Technical University Student Center which is to be designed in accordance with the METU Square. The main idea of project has been to carry on a non-interventionist approach as the land has been already in use by METU students for long years, roots’ back in revolutionary student movements. Although the program of the student clubs’ offices and performance areas is fulfilled, integrity of indoor-outdoor spaces is promoted whilst existing routes and rhythms of the land is reproduced and enriched. Maintaining the organic relations, open to probabilities and possibilities, freedom of space and people has been credited by means of the architectural punctuation. The main sheltered platform is provided beneath a vast metal roof balancing the elevation difference of the site. The transparent retractable walls offered to be used closed or open depending on the need or choice of the students. The amphitheatre form naturally passes through the building with reference to the existing topography. In the same manner, the architectural lighting of the zone is also preferred to be flexible and portable, with an efficient infrastructure provided. Respecting the harmonization with the man made environment, the building also aimed to be nature and student friendly.

EXECUTIVE MEETING AND GREETING

Libya is the gateway to Africa. By the Mediterranean coast, Sirte is in the Surt District, seat of many important governmental institutions. Following the intensive urban and architectural developments in Libya, Sirte has become a more dynamic town in terms of local and international meetings. Sirte Lounge IS a meeting point for everyone who participate a meeting or conference taking place at different locations around the region, aiming an interactive and colorful base for professionals of divers disciplines and sectors. Next to 2,300sqm main lounge space, the facility houses generous foyers and a restaurant, as well as VIP rooms. EIGHT meter high ceiling grants luminous and voluminous spaces. The glass fiber reinforced concrete walls with a perforated facade design provide a shady interior while receiving optimum daylight through the openings.

TRANSFORMING THE BUILDING, TRANSFORMING THE QUARTER

The first modern museum of the country, İstanbul Modern, transformed from an abandoned warehouse, is considered as an extension of the public area. Interaction between the visitors, surroundings, exhibited work and the building is aimed to be highest. Minimum interference has been the architectural approach; the existing structural essence is preserved, simplicity is preferred to emphasize the exhibited artwork to stand out. The walls of the exhibition halls are white and the rest of the building is colored gray. The main exhibition area is at the first floor with white exhibition walls, ending at 60 degrees and adjacent columns ensure alternative tracks to the viewer in order that exhibition comfort is provided. Transparent glass partitions provide continuity between spaces. Interior spaces exposed to the background view of the open air museum city of İstanbul through wide glass openings, which transfer various moods of outside atmosphere. In the context of building up, preserving and generating culture, modern art museums are vital all over the world. As a dynamic stage of contemporary Turkey, İstanbul Modern aims to foster and present diverse social, cultural and artistic productions with the integral participation of public.

CONVEYING THE 20TH CENTURY BUILDING TO 21ST CENTURY

The capacity of the building and the technology used at 70’s is compatible to buildings of the same era in Europe. Following the fire of 1970, benefiting the recent developments in technology and construction know-how, the building has been reconstructed with certain modifications in technical facilities and interior spaces. Still, the building is more than thirty years old, like for every construction of its age, the best possible and rational solution for the building is renovation of technical utilities, updating the functions and spaces, and fortification of the structure. In the new design, main functions of the cultural facility being opera and ballet, the substructure will be updated to provide the most efficient platform for the national and international performances and offer a basis for the respected organizations. Besides the structural reinforcement, backstage, dressing rooms, maintenance and technical rooms will be renovated to adapt today’s requirements. The immense foyers of AKM shall be renewed; on the ceilings, the spring systems against fire will be updated together with the lighting instruments. A high technology glass to provide better light and climate control will replace the wide glass facade.  The side façade will be renovated for better weather protection and isolation purposes. Complementing the standard acquired inside, a multi-functional, mobile, outdoor performance and exhibition capacity should be built at the front entrance, uniting with the city square.  As well as with the Taksim Square, the building should develop a visual contact with the Bosphorus; where at present, the view is closed to the public access. The new blueprints include a rooftop restaurant. The offices and other spaces on the Bosphorus side will be reevaluated, and new public functions should replace the idle capacity. By renovation, contemporary architectural and urban approaches should be included in the program, and new functions should foster the center; ateliers, functional art galleries, libraries, recreational educational centers for kids and young people, meeting rooms at various sizes, a design shop and cafe where city folk to meet will sparkle the building. AKM, located in the heart of the city, Taksim Square, should maintain a factual contact with the Square and become an extension of the city life.