Gezi Park District
8E3A7BPY | COVER PAGE BACKFACE
Gezi
Park
District
Gezi Park District
The Urban Living Room
Taksim Square has been going through transformations since
the beginning of the 20th century. We strongly believe there is no
ultimate solution one can reach to fix Taksim. It is simply not the way
we see the nature of design and the role of the architect, the urban
planner, landscape designer. At the moment, we are experiencing
odd artifacts from the previous planning decisions taken. We can
observe and experience these as people living in Istanbul.
Istanbul has a very strong topographical character. Taksim square
is a plateau at +85m sea level, located on the ridge formed
by great topographical change - this path is called Tarlabasi
Caddesi, Halaskargazi Street, and Buyukdere Caddesi,
reaching 14km north till Haciosman. On this spine, Taksim serves
as a hub almost as crucial as Mecidiyekoy and Levent.
TAKSIM SQUARE REMAINS AS A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF DENSE URBAN
FABRIC OF ISTANBUL
Henri Prost defined the steep drop from Taksim in the northeast
direction as a green valley knowing the topographical character
of Istanbul. Today, Henri Prost’s Gezi Park is no longer a green
valley. Ceylan Intercontinental, Ritz Carlton, and many more standalone
private buildings with their fence were built into the valley,
interrupting the continuity of the green belt idea.
Yet, we believe Taksim is no longer the most crucial
transportation hub in the city. The city has had a trend of
migrating with consumption - not because of maximized capacity
- towards north starting in the 20th century. Starting from the
Ottoman Palace migrating from Topkapi to Dolmabahce, there has
been a historical trend to migrate towards the north of Istanbul.
This trend was followed by the business district of Karakoy moving
to Mecidiyekoy, later to Maslak. IBB’s new office was considered
in Maslak, Galatasaray’s Stadium moved from Taksim Square to
Mecidiyekoy; later to Seyrantepe, United States Consulate moved to
North to Istinye from historical Istanbul, bank headquarters moved
from Karakoy to 4.Levent, even the main airport moved to North in
2019.
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 1
ORGANIZATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDINGS ALIGNED ON
BUYUKDERE STREET, CROSSING TWO HIGHWAYS E-5 AND E-6
Taksim Square has gotten weaker as a business center of
Istanbul as a result of this migration, yet Taksim has always
managed to preserve its socio-political meaning. In the 21st
century, the government defined Taksim Square as trouble making
public space where protests are made often on the 1st of May; often,
shops were vandalized every year as a result of the tension. The
gatherings, demonstrations were banned in Taksim on almost every
meaningful day, including New Year’s Day.
DRAWING SHOWING STRONG TOPOGRAPHY OF ISTANBUL IN RELATION TO
LANDMARKS AND MAJOR HIGHWAYS
The government was showing the public two new addresses
for gatherings: Yenikapi Meeting Zone and Maltepe Meeting
Zone. These vast concrete plains - larger than Tiananmen Square
were reclaimed land on the coast of Istanbul to justify the removal
of Taksim Square from the city. Providing the central, most extensive
of its kind solution to any need has been an urban planning strategy
in the 21st century in Turkey. This formula was followed for city
hospitals, court buildings, the need for gatherings treated in the
same way.
Gezi Park District
The plan of filling Taksim Square with buildings was interrupted by
the Gezi Protests started by people of Istanbul standing in front of
the bulldozers at the end of May, beginning of June in 2013. As a
result, the government was convinced not to build the shopping
mall and ice rink. The protest forced Taksim to remain as a blank
sheet with its existing problems, untouched.
What Taksim needs today is not a new author. Yet, we have to
come up with a strategy to make it a better place collectively. We
are proposing a plan, a framework for immediate problems that can
be realistically done and does not require unrealistic political power
to bring into real life. The construction of the underground tunnel
for vehicles from Tarlabasi to Sisli has just finished a few years ago,
even though it is not ideal for pedestrian experience entering Taksim
and increases the space in addition to the existing undefined space,
we think it is a step taken that can have it’s own advantages.
Gezi Park is no longer as part of Henri Prost’s Green Valley idea. It
is a park surrounded by police, and on the pre-2013 days, the park
served substance abusers and had been a scary place to enter. The
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 2
level change between the Taksim Square as we know and the Gezi
Park created compartments within the potential great open space,
resulting in disconnection. Consequently, Gezi Park has been a
black hole in the middle of Istanbul.
The empty space is valuable for the coming great Istanbul
earthquake, and we are aiming to develop the park with material
strategies for rainwater collection to set new standards for the rest
of the development in Istanbul.
We have seen great public green spaces in New York (High Line)
and Seoul (7017, Skygarden). Lately, Washington DC (11th Street
Bridge Park) is also planning a landscaped bridge as a public space.
Since Gezi Park is untouchable for good reasons, there is a
potential to extend the park just like a carpet onto the empty
space. This carpet-like approach is similar to traditional
Turkish treatment for empty concrete space, the living room.
Turks traditionally pile carpets on top of each other with a
sense of directionality - pointing corridors, rooms opening
to the central space. We feel a similar approach would be
appropriate for an empty concrete public space in Istanbul.
Gardens, other ground treatments stacked on top of each
other inspiring multiple uses into the open space. In Anatolia,
carpets tell stories with their patterns; we aim to reflect the
past of Taksim square within the choice of patterning.
We propose to expand the park onto the rest of Taksim Square.
For the reasons explained above, we believe Taksim has lost its
socio-political importance and remains as an undefined, wasted
space right in the middle of a potentially very lively urban fabric. By
expanding the park onto the indefinite area, we are aiming to ramp
down and make these two levels one. A singular plain unifying Gezi
Park with the Taksim Square again.
Gezi Park District
Recognizing its disconnection from Green Valley, instead of getting
rid of Gezi Park, we want to give it a new definition; we want to
open it up safely to the city with enough light and visual security. In
Gezi Park, we want to avoid too many tree relocations; therefore, we
only change the walkways within the park, redirecting them into the
city. Plugging them into existing flows, following axis from existing
Talimhane, and align and ramp it down to Istiklal Street.
This extension of the city grid from Talimhane gives us a
rotated square within the project zone. We call this square
Gezi Park District. This rotated square defines a new potential
for redevelopment, reuse of existing buildings in Talimhane in
harmony with the new Taksim Square. It also leaves a negative
space on four sides to be defined. One corner will be serving Istiklal
Street; the second corner will belong to AKM, and the third corner
as a dense green zone full of trees and fourth corner will provide
Sisli Urban connection.
The biggest intervention we are proposing is a lightweight,
relatively cheap scaffolding structure that will mark each node
on our 50m x 50m grid, providing lighting, electricity, and other
infrastructural needs for the new Taksim Square; the pavilions.
Pavilions will host infrastructure such as small programs like kiosks
for food, newspapers, coffee shops. The cube-like screens on top of
each pavilion will have the capability to move up and down almost
15m. The multimedia shows will be held on special occasions,
sponsors, and media artists will be able to design spectacular
experience 24 hours a day in the heart of the city. The selected
pavilions will also be designed via competition between artists
and architects.
We are also proposing elevated walkways that are acting as bridges
to North and North East, connecting Taksim to Ataturk Kitapligi and
Divan Hotel. These walkways would be integrated into the pavilions
for circulation.
This focus area development will be called Gezi Park District.
Taking two blocks of Talimhane within its influence area, we would
like to give a new definition to the emptiness existing at the moment
without building a single new building.
We define a system to read the existing fabric of Taksim Square; it is
a 50m x 50m module starting from Cumhuriyet Aniti, Gezi Fountain,
and edges of the square fall entirely within this grid system. This
grid is also used to form terraces moving the ground plane up and
down to match the topographical differences.
The existing city fabric of Talimhane is to be partially renewed by
injecting new buildings into the locations falling on this 50m
x 50m grid defined by us following existing structures in Taksim.
These interventions will be open to design competitions
and also given to trusted major architects of Istanbul for
redevelopment. Instead of a Tabula Rasa approach, this will slow
down the evolution and make the regeneration more natural.
Gezi Park District, in time, will become a lively place like
Asmalimescit, announcing the rebirth of Taksim, which will
influence Istiklal Street and Sisli to be more urban, filled with people
again, celebrating life in a sustainable way full of culture and art,
the way it used to be. We are proposing a collective strategy to give
birth to a new social city center taking advantage of its lightness
after the migration of its every single function to the north and
waterfront of Istanbul.
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 3
The marble staircase of Gezi Park will be preserved as an
amphitheater facing the red carpet for the public in front of AKM,
which is a new zone defined by us as a place for gathering for
celebrations, protests in a more reasonable size. The crowd will still
have the potential to spread over the grass and Gezi Park area since
we get rid of the level change in our proposal.
APRIL 2020, CURRENT SITUATION OF TAKSIM SQUARE
The red carpet for all is a red ground where also Istanbul Metro
is exiting; taxis drop you off; it is the zone of arrival. We keep the
vehicle road as it is in front of AKM but would level this road with
the red ground, and only define the vehicle road with balustrades.
Once a year, a design competition will be held among artists and
architects to design a pavilion on the corner of AKM, similar to
“Kavusma Duragı” built in 2020.
KAVUSMA DURAGI BY INTER NATIONAL DESIGN (ARMAN
AKDOGAN AND FELIX MADRAZO) TEMPORARY PAVILION IN
TAKSIM (2020)
Gezi Park District
Accoding to IBB maps, Taksim is a safe zone for
gathering when the Istanbul Earthquake happens.
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 4
Istanbul Earthquake is expected to happen soon
Climate Change is happening
Turkey is going through diff icult times financially.
The design has to be the DNA of a resilient Istanbul. A
place to gather safely in an emergency. Its materiality
and features should be environmentally friendly, save
water, and allow recycling and re-use. The design that
allows phasing will enable the project to be developed
in the long term rather than one shot, and in terms of
our transportation strategy for the site since the road
network was built very recently.
Istanbul has been consuming its land without using the real potential with planning
densely. Architects can not change this wasteful approach on their own. Without
political and social power to design better, we have to see the advantage of this
migration. Galatasaray, Isbankasi, Residency of the President, the main Airport,
Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi, all of these buildings moved or planned to move north
of Istanbul. Raising the question for us, are we going to have a new Mecidiyekoy once
the migration is complete? What happens to the land left behind? Can we celebrate it
by introducing more social programme?
Turning Emptiness to Indeterminate Green Space
Gezi Park District
BEYOGLU KÜLTÜR YOLU is proposed by the
Ministry of Tourism connecting Istiklal Street to
Galataport. We are proposing to complete the
walk as a loop by making GEZI PARK DISTRICT
being the main hub for the walk. Istanbul Modern,
Galataport, Galata Tower, Asmalimescit, Nevizade,
Arter Museum, Cemil Topuzlu, Lutfi Kirdar, Inonu
Stadium would be located on this walk.
AT THE MOMENT TAKSIM SQUARE
IS A GIANT CONCRETE SURFACE
BIGGER THAN ALMOST ANY CITY
SQUARE IN THE WORLD. THE
GENEROSITY OF THE SPACE IS
ALMOST TOO BIG TO TURN INTO ANY
OF ITS POTENTIAL.
BEING FLEXIBLE MEANS BEING
AVAILABLE FOR NOTHING. AT THE
MOMENT TAKSIM SQUARE IS LIKE A
GIANT HOLE IN A VERY DENSE CITY.
“SOLVING” THE PROBLEMS OF
TAKSIM SQUARE IS A VERY
AMBITIOUS TASK REQUIRING
FINANCIAL, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL
DETERMINATION AND CONSENSUS.
WE DON’T BELIEVE IN “SOLVING
TAKSIM SQUARE” THEREFORE OUR
APPROACH IS A STEP TAKEN TO
IMPROVE THE CURRENT URBAN
CONDITION.
WE BELIEVE THE TRADITIONAL CITY
SQUARE DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME
MEANING IN OUR CURRENT SOCIETY.
TAKSIM SQUARE NO LONGER HAS
THE SAME MEANING IT USED TO
HAVE IN THE 1900S. THE URBAN
LIMITS OF ISTANBUL IS BEYOND THE
IMAGINATION OF HENRI PROST’S
ISTANBUL. WE PROPOSE TO RESIZE
THE GREEN AREA PROVIDED
WITHOUT DEMOLISHING THE
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WAS BUILT
VERY RECENTLY.
Gezi Park District
City Square as a Green Park
The empty concrete space of Taksim Square is surrounded
by vibrant urban patches such as Beyoglu, Sisli, Dolapdere,
Talimhane, Macka, Gumussuyu. We see these lively urban
patches just like small carpets where different profiles of
people live inside. Our proposal is to extend the existing
vibrant neighborhood into the concrete space and cover the
HANDS ON HIPS (ELİBELİNDE)
IT IS THE SYMBOL OF FEMININITY. IT SYMBOLIZES NOT ONLY MATERNITY AND FERTILITY, BUT ALSO GOOD
LUCK, FERTILITY, FORTUNE, HAPPINESS AND JOY.
“hole” with urban activity - a vast green park. Carpets define
empty spaces for us in the Turkish home scale. Like our
homes, on the urban level, carpets could inspire a variety of
activities, with stories recorded on their patterns reflecting
sociology, history of the people and their city.
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 5
WATER WAY (SUYOLU)
WATER IS THE SYMBOL OF REBIRTH, PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, CONTINUITY OF LIFE, FERTILITY,
NOBILITY, WISDOM, PURITY AND VIRTUE. IT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE PURIFICATION SYMBOL. HE IS THE
SOURCE OF BOTH LIFE AND DEATH. IN ANATOLIA, WATER IS LIFE ITSELF.
HAND, FINGER AND COMB (EL, PARMAK, TARAK)
“HAND”, THE SYMBOL OF CREATIVE POWER, IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ORGAN THAT SEPARATES MAN
FROM ANIMAL. LARGE HAND AND FOOTPRINTS WERE PICTURED DURING THE BRONZE AGE. HANDS
SYMBOLIZE STRENGTH, POWER, AND POWER OF DOMINATION.
TRAMMEL (BUKAĞI)
THE NAME OF THE CHAIN THAT PREVENTS HORSES FROM MOVING AWAY FROM THE GRASSLAND,
WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT TWO LEGS. IT SYMBOLIZES THE CONTINUATION OF THE FAMILY. IT
SYMBOLIZES LOVE AND UNION. IT IS ONE OF THESE SYMBOLS THAT ENGAGEMENT RINGS ARE TIED WITH
RED RIBBONS.
PATTERNS WILL ALSO SET UP SAFE
SOCIAL DISTANCING BETWEEN
PEOPLE IN THE GEZI PARK
GOOD LUCK, FERTILITY, FORTUNE, HAPPINESS AND JOY.
NATURE, CONTINUITY OF LIFE
HANDS, STRENGTH, SYMBOL OF BEING HUMAN
CONTINUATION OF THE FAMILY, LOVE AND UNION
Gezi Park District
Design Evolution
+0m
+3m
SINGLE SURFACE
ISTIKLAL
ISTIKLAL
A DIVIDED PATCHWORK, TAKSİM SQUARE
AT THE MOMENT TAKSIM SQUARE IS IN TWO LEVELS, THE CONCRETE BASE AND
THE GEZI PARK +3M ABOVE THE CONCRETE PLATE. WE SEE THIS DIVISION AS A
PROBLEM; THIS DIVISION BREAKS ONE GREAT SPACE INTO TWO.
MAKE TAKSIM SQUARE A SINGLE SURFACE
BY INTRODUCING RAMPS STARTING FROM ALMOST CUMHURIYET ANITI, WE WANT TO
CONNECT TWO LEVELS INTO ONE SINGLE SURFACE MAKING PUBLIC ABLE TO WALK
EFFORTLESSLY INTO GEZI PARK. IN-FACT, EVEN MAKE TAKSIM EXTENSION OF GEZI
PARK.
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 6
ISTIKLAL
ISTIKLAL
DEFINE A FOCUS AREA OF DEVELOPMENT
REUSE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE WE KNOW THE SENSITIVITY OF BUILDING
ANYTHING PERMANENT IN TAKSIM SQUARE. THEREFORE WE WOULD LIKE TO
MERGE TALIMHANE INTO THE COMPETITION AREA, TO REBUILD SOME OF THE
BUILDINGS OR REUSE EXISTING STRUCTURES.
MAKE THE GEZİ PARK MUCH BIGGER
TALIMHANE SEEMS TO BE A CUT-OFF URBAN FABRIC WANTING TO EXTEND INTO
TAKSIM SQUARE; WE WOULD LIKE TO COMPLETE TALIMHANE AS NEW GREEN ZONES
WHERE PEOPLE CAN REST AND ENJOY GREENERY.
ÇEŞME
ANIT
ISTIKLAL
ISTIKLAL
PROVIDING PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS
THE ALIGNMENT OF TALIMHANE SEEMS TO BE COMPLETING THE EXISTING
CONNECTIONS MUCH HEALTHIER THAN ANY OTHER ALIGNMENT FOR THE GRID.
DEFINING THE GRID OF TAKSİM SQUARE
WE INTRODUCE A PIN / GRID SYSTEM 50x50, WHICH ALSO MATCHES THE CURRENT
EXISTING BUILDING EDGES, MONUMENTS, FOUNTAIN to DEFINE THE FORMULA OF
NEW DEVELOPMENT. THESE TOWERS WILL ALSO SERVE AS THE INFRASTRUCTURE
OF THE CITY SQUARE.
Gezi Park District
ŞİŞLİ
FOREST
BEYOĞLU
ISTIKLAL
ISTIKLAL
CULTURE
GRID OVERLAPPING BUILDINGS
WHENEVER A GRID POINT FALLS OVER AN EXISTING BUILDING, WE ARE GOING TO
INTRODUCE REUSE, REBUILD OR REPROGRAMMING THE EXISTING BUILDING, THIS
STRATEGY WILL ENCOURAGE A SOFTER REGENERATION RATHER THAN TABULA
RASA.
NEGATIVE SPACE
THE ROTATED CENTRAL ZONE WLL BE CALLED GEZI PARK DISTRICT, THIS ROTATED
RECTANGLE WILL NATURALLY LEAVE FOUR UNDEFINED CORNERS BECAUSE OF ITS
GEOMETRIC ALIGNMENT. THESE ZONES WILL BELONG TO DENSER USE OF EXISTING
PROGRAMMES SUCH AS CULTURE, GREENERY.
BUS STOP
ISTIKLAL
ISTIKLAL
DOLMUŞ - BAKIRKÖY
DOLMUŞ - KADIKÖY
DOLMUŞ - BOSTANCI
BUS STOP
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 7
CARPETS OF USES
WE ARE ALSO INTRODUCING CARPETS WITH SIMILAR SCALE TO EACH THE URBAN
GRID OF TALIMHANE, TO DENSELY HOST CERTAIN USES SUCH AS EXTENSION OF
AKM, MARKER FOR ENDING ISTIKLAL STREET, MARKER FOR ENTRANCE TO TAKSIM
FROM SISLI, ANNUAL PAVILION ZONE PART OFTHE AKM
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN CHANGING THE WHOLE ROAD NETWORK REACHING
TAKSIM SQUARE. MOST OF THESE ROADS WERE ENGINEERED VERY RECENTLY, AND
WE ACCEPT THEM AS THEY ARE, WE ONLY INTRODUCE NEW GATHERING POINTS
FOR DOLMUS to IMPROVE EXPERIENCE.
ISTIKLAL
ISTIKLAL
ELEVATED WALKWAYS
ELEVATED WALKWAYS CONNECT DIVAN AND ATATURK LIBRARY SIDES OF TAKSIM
SQUARE TO THE CENTRAL AREA. THEY ALSO ACT AS WALKWAYS AND VIEWING
PLATFORMS FOR TOURISTS AND LOCALS.
GEZİ PARK DISTRICT
COVERED WITH CARPETS OF GREEN, CULTURAL USE ZONES AND FUNCTION
SPECIFIC ZONES, HELD TOGETHER WITH AN OVERLAY OF INFRASTRUCTURE
GRID, WE PROPOSE TO HAVE A RICH TAKSIM SQUARE TEXTURE FULL OF RICH
EXPERIENCES WHILE KEEPING IT DEMOCRATIC AND SAFE.
Gezi Park District
Infrastructure Pavilions
SCULPTURES OF SOL LEWITT
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 8
50m x 50m grid works with Taksim Square matching with the
existing monuments such as Cumhuriyet Aniti and Gezi Fountain
that are to be preserved. Also the nodes on each 50m network
defines the edge of the project area as a precise tool.
METALLICA’S WORLDWIRED TOUR STAGE DESIGN, PERFORMING SCREENS
The towers will define the limits
for the temporary programs
introduced by sponsors such
as Nike Football renting a
100x100 zone in Taksim Square
for a week. Towers will act
as markers, infrastructure
providers.
NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWN IN
THE NEW TAKSIM SQUARE
45°
TWIST
9.5m
ELEVATION
50m x 50m grid shows potentials for
dividing Taksim Square into different
sizes for different sponsorship,
government or social events. 40,000m 2 ,
30,000m 2 , 25,000m 2 , 20,000m 2 , 5,000m 2 ,
2,500m 2 with great alignments to the
existing fabric.
NEW YEAR’S DAY COUNTDOWN
WATER, ELECTRICITY, LIGHT SOURCE, AMPLIFIERS, SCREENS, WASTE COLLECTION NODES
Gezi Park District
2,C
1,A
1,A 4,A
2,A
Pavilion Neutral
The neutral pavilion only hosts foursided
LCD screen and lighting elements
for its surroundings and speaker for
sharing chosen performances with the
public into the park.
Pavilion Neutral Rotated
The neutral pavilion with the rotating
screen.
Pavilion Newstand
It is located next to the metro exit for
Taksim Station. Newsstand also offers
seating around the pavilion.
Pavilion Circulation
Tower has a 1500mm wide staircase
and lifts for elevating the public for the
use of the elevated walkways.
Pavilion Circulation B
Tower has a 1500mm wide staircase
and lifts for elevating the public for the
use of the elevated walkways. The only
difference is the direction of the lifts.
1,A
Pavilion Stage
Located in between the red carpet and
the preserved staircase of Gezi Park,
the stage offers dual aspect stage
function depending on the size of the
audience.
0,Z 5,X 0,E
1,E
Pavilion Florist
Pavilion Talimhane Gate Pavilion AKM South Pavilion Meeting Point
Located right next to and above the
historical Su Isleri building, the pavilion
will mark the traditional florist bazaar.
Located right next to and above the
historical Su Isleri building, the pavilion
will mark the traditional florist bazaar.
Right in front of AKM, inside the
reflecting pool, this will be an art piece
open for international competition for
artists.
Located in front of AKM, the northern
pavilion will be an artwork commission/
competition marking the meeting point
in Taksim in front of AKM traditionally.
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 9
Taksim Underground Tunnel
FLOOD WATER IN THE NEWLY BUILT UNDERGROUND TUNNEL
Water Collection
MATERIALS ABSORBING AND COLLECTING FLOOD WATER
Emergency Infrastructure
INFORMATION SCREENS, SPEAKERS, WIFI PROVIDER,
ELECTRICITY SOURCE
INTERVENTION WHERE GRID MEETS EXISTING BUILDINGS
USE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE INSTEAD OF BUILDING NEW
ARCHITECT 1
DESIGNING NEW
PAINTING GALLERY
BUILDING IN TALIMHANE
1
2
ARCHITECT 2
DESIGNING NEW
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
2
4
WITH ART GALLERY IN
TALIMHANE
1
ARCHITECT 3
DESIGNING NEW BAR
3
& RESTAURANT WITH
ROOF TOP FACING
5
TAKSIM SQUARE AND
BOSPHORUS.
ARCHITECT 4
DESIGNING TAKSIM
4
MODERN ART MUSEUM
AS PART OF GEZI PARK
THE 50MX50M TOWER GRID WHEN IT IS
DISTRICT.
OVER THE TALIMHANE BUILT MASS - THE
EXISTING CITY - BECOMES A MARKER FOR
REGENERATION, SELECTED BUILDINGS
WILL BE RENOVATED AND RE-PURPOSED BY
SUCCESSFUL TURKISH ARCHITECTS INVITED.
THE SELECTION IS REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE
DENSITY OF SELECTION, FURTHER STUDIES
ARE REQUIRED FOR THE REAL SELECTION
3
ARCHITECTS
DESIGNING NEW HOTEL
OF TALIMHANE WITH
THE MOST POPULAR
BAR OF 2022 IN
ISTANBUL.
5
Gezi Park District
Gezi Park Extended - Safer and Open
MULTIMEDIA MESH IN LOS ANGELES - HIGH LINE IN NEW YORK BRINGS PARK AS A PUBLIC
SPACE INTO THE CITY CENTER WITH ART PERFORMANCES AND INSTALLATIONS ALL YEAR
8E3A7BPY | PAGE 10
There seems to be an existing grid system in Beyoglu district that
the city square has erased. This secondary grid, for us, defines the
circulation and new spaces within the deleted zone.
WE ARE AIMING TO EXTEND THE LIVELY ATMOSPHERE OF ASMALIMESCIT AND CICEK PASAJI
TO THE PEDESTRIANIZED TALIMHANE STREETS
The elevated walkway provides shading
and cooling elements such as waterfalls
for the potential occupation underneath.
They also connect the Gezi Park
towards Divan Hotel and Ataturk Library
direction above the roads.
This alignment of Istiklal Street in
relationship with Talimhane was also
respected previously by Behruz Cinici’s
proposal for Taksim Square. We came
up with this alignment approach before
finding out on Cinici’s project.
Gezi Park District
Extending AKM into Taksim Square
Music in the Park
Some performances could be open to the public
via screens in the Taksim Square and Gezi Park.
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 11
Music in the Park
Pop / Rock concerts will be performed on the
stage pavilion connected with an underground
passage to AKM building for backstage.
Gezi Park District
Carpets for Intense Programmatic Use
ARRIVAL ZONE FROM SISLI
ZONE FOR ATATURK LIBRARY CONNECTION
ZONE FOR THE MOSQUE AND SU ISLERI
ZONE FOR ANNUAL PAVILION ART DISPLAY
ZONE FOR GATHERINGS, RED CARPET FOR ALL
ZONE FOR ISTIKLAL STREET ARRIVAL
RED CARPET FOR ALL - EXPANDING AKM INTO TAKSIM
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 12
The red carpet is an exclusive zone in front of the Ataturk Kultur Merkezi
(AKM), celebrating the gathering for art. The metro exits are located here,
and reflective pools enhancing the AKM experience as architect Tabanlioglu
desired to have. The red carpet is also the gathering, waiting area for all
events in Taksim Square.
FLEXIBLE GROUND FOR AKM ART INSTALLATIONS
The sand-like compressed zone is open to changes during the whole year.
Every summer, a new pavillion such as KAVUSMA DURAGI will be designed
by an architect, artist chosen by AKM and will be built on this zone. This
“carpet” celebrates constant change, youth, and art.
RED TERRAZZO - NATIONAL WALK TO THE ANIT
Red terrazzo is celebrating the National Pride of Turkey. Ataturk Aniti is a
significant monument in Turkey, Every national day, government event or
protest of opposition parties happen in front of this Monument. We propose
to celebrate the walk from Istiklal Street to the Monument with a “carpet”
that is made out of red terrazzo stones.
RED CARPET FOR ALL
EXPANDING AKM INTO TAKSIM
Stage in the Park
Preserved marble staircase from
Henri Prost GEzi Park
COORDINATION
25,281m 2 5,A
Gezi Park District
Moments from Gezi Park District
CYLCLING THROUGH MONUMENTS, CAFES, ART IN GPD
PUBLIC SPACE RESPECTING SOCIAL DISTANCING
NIGHT VIEW ABOVE TALIMHANE / GPD DISTRICT
CUMHURIYET ANITI AND REST OF THE TOWERS
ON THE EASTERN END, VIEWING DECK FOR SEA VIEW
ELEVATED WALKWAY LOOKING INTO TALIMHANE
PRESERVING FOUNTAIN, BALLUSTRADES OF GEZI PARK FEELING THE BEAUTIFUL GRASS IN GEZI PARK DISTRICT STAGE INTEGRATED INTO PAVILION
Areas for Development
-1,E
RED CARPET FOR ALL ZONE
AKM 0,E
-3,A
ANNUAL PAVILION ZONE
0,D
1,E
THE MARMARA HOTEL
ISTIKLAL STREET ZONE
-2,A
2,E
1,D
0,C
-2,Z
-1,A
1,C
3,E
0,B
AMPHITHEATER
2,D
0,A
1,B
CUMHURIYET ANITI
4,E
2,C
3,D
0,Z
1,A
2,B
MOSQUE ZONE
3,C
5,E
4,D
2,A
1,Z
DOLMUS 5,D
4,C
2,Z DOLMUS
6,E
3,A
5,C
4,B
GEZI PARK FOUNTAIN
2,Y
CEYLAN INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
3,Z
4,A
5,B
6,C
4,Z
3,Y
6,B
3,X
7,C
8,D
5,Z
4,Y
NUMBER OF
FLOORS
GFA PER FLOOR
GFA PER BUILDING
3,Y 10 253m 2 2,530m 2
3,Z 6 139m 2 834m 2
4,Y 10 253m 2 2,530m 2
4,Z 5 233m 2 1,165m 2
5,W 13 344m 2 4,472m 2
5,Y 10 179m 2 1,790m 2
5,Z 8 286m 2 2,288m 2
5,Z 8 286m 2 2,288m 2
6,7 6 107m 2 642m 2
6,Z 5 884m 2 4,420m 2
7,Z 9 258m 2 2,322m 2
We are proposing to have 12 special
side projects transforming Gezi
Park District into the most vibrant
area of Istanbul to give back the
life to Istiklal Street used to have.
Currently, the marked buildings are
marked with illustrative purposes
on 50mx50m grid. We will assess
and decide with a similar distance
to transform around 25,000m 2
GFA as strategic new projects to
transform Talimhane and give life to
Gezi Park District.
9,C
8,C
DIVAN HOTEL
8,B
7,B
ARRIVAL TOURIST BUS AREA
9,B
6,A
7, Z
6,Z
7,Y
3,B
1,A
6,Y
5,Y
6,X
5,X
4,X
BUILDINGS FOR REDEVELOPMENT / RENOVATION
5,W
4,W
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 13
1:250 scalebar
0m 5 10
1:2500 scalebar
0m 50 100 250
1:5000 scalebar
0m 100 250
Gezi Park District
1:2000 scalebar
8E3A7BPY
0m 25 50
100
1:1000
1:1000 scalebar
0m 25 50
1:500 scalebar
VEHICLE TRAFFIC
ISTANBUL METRO
FENIKULER KABATAS
Gezi Park District
Transportation Strategy
INTRODUCING THE URBAN GRID
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 16
The tunnel built for the road connecting Golden Horn
to Halaskargazi Street underground was not the
most ideal for the pedestrian experience. However,
it helped Taksim Square become entirely pedestrian.
We are merely proposing an URBAN GRID similar to
manhattan to ease transportation in Gezi Park District.
This move will encourage walking, cycling, scooter
usage. We also propose to drill a hole on the mega
concrete surface to create a visual connection between
the underground bus station and overground use.
VISUAL CONNECTION WITH THE TUNNEL
By creating a hole in the concrete surface where the inner part
of the tunnel and the Istanbul Metro Galeri is aligned on top of
each other, daylight will be entering into the tunnel and the metro
levels. At the moment for pedestrians on the Taksim level can not
see the bus stops under the concrete plate; therefore, we propose
to open a terracing hole until we reach the metro level.
Gezi Park District
Second Stage Team Structure
8E3A7BPY@GMAIL.COM
BUILDING OFFICE | PAGE 17
ARCHITECT
TEAM LEADER
Oversees the design development making sure
the design is compatible with the economic and
technological realities of the context. Development of
design drawings, details managing sub-Consultants.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Designing the pavilion structural system with its
modularity, consulting on new infrastructure grid and
their potentials.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
DESING LEAD
Design Lead develops the concept with the team
leader, production of the presentation, day to day
coordination with sub-consultants during early design
stages manages and edits contriubtions in the most
coherent way.
MUSEOLOGIST
Explores the history of Taksim and its artefacts and
their role in society, as well as the new activities
proposed, the public will engage in, including curating,
preservation, public programming, and education.
LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
THE DESIGN, USER EXPERIENCE
Development of concept design with the rest of the
team. Makes sure the design is ethically correct in
terms of environment and designs the vegetational
composition, decides on the right specimens for
the Istanbul climate. Landscape designer develops
strategies for water aggregation, landscape design
details in the second stage.
URBAN PLANNER
AND INNOVATION CONSULTANT
The consultant brings the user/client perspective to the
project. Asks the right questions and helps clarification
of the concept, helps to structure the presentations, and
caters the design to meet the public expectations.
MEDIA ARTIST
Development of concept design with the rest of the
team. Makes sure the design suggests changes on the
existing urban network that is necessary with minimum
effort and maximum effect, enabling the traffic flow to be
seamless around Taksim Square.
Media Arist curates and explores the potentials of the
multimedia screens in the proposal - the pavilions.
CONTACT
8E3A7BPY@GMAIL.COM
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