Sustainable Investment and Places – Best ... - Union Investment

facts and figures
Investor: METRO Group Asset Management
Project developer: METRO Group Asset Management
Architect: FOA Foreign Office Architects
Completion: 2007
Size of site: 128,000 sq m
Usable space: 70,000 sq m
Number of floors: 2
Type of use: Shopping centre
CO2 emission savings: 350 tonnes per year
Internet: www.meydan.metro­mam.com
Meydan Shopping Square provides a contemporary shopping and leisure experience across 70,000
square metres. With its lush natural green roof, flowing transitions between individual structures and
spacious plaza, this project brings a modern marketplace to the fast­growing Ümraniye district of
Istanbul, one of the world’s megacities.
A vibrant space. Formerly a tract of wasteland between two main roads, Meydan and its stunning
architecture now form the urban centre of a new cityscape. Existing paths used by the surrounding
residents were incorporated into the design, as were anticipated new access routes. These paths lead
across the sloping green roofscape directly to a central square, where a network of linked pathways
guide visitors intuitively through the various shopping zones. The use of earth­coloured ceramic tiles
for façades and floors makes the shopping centre appear like a piece of naturally eroded land amid
a suburb dominated by concrete structures. Already popular with local people, Meydan provides a
welcoming green space in which to relax, play, walk and picnic.
Naturally sustainable. With one of the largest geothermal systems in Europe, Meydan is literally
breaking new ground in climate control technology. Geothermal heat is fed to the combined heating
pumps and cooling generators from more than 200 probes. Both heating and cooling use this renewable
resource, with the system providing up to 1,500 kWh. Meydan also has one of the largest green
roofs in the world, exceeding 30,000 sq m in area, which helps to optimise the building’s climate. The
double­glazed façades (6,100 sq m) and 28 skylights enable the use of natural light rather than artificial
light. Water features also help to improve the microclimate at the centre.
Efficient and sustainable. Meydan sets a new benchmark for European shopping centres in terms of
urban and ecological sustainability. The geothermal system saves 1.3 million kilowatt hours of primary
energy a year. Looking at the costs, cooling is approximately 25% cheaper than with conventional systems,
while heating costs are some 30% lower.
Ümraniye is becoming increasingly urban and ever more densely populated. Meydan will play an important
role here as a vibrant centre for this fast­growing suburb of Istanbul.
Turkey
Meydan Shopping Square – Istanbul
“An integrated, natural space featuring outstanding urban planning
and exceptional ecological quality.”
Professor Werner Sobek, Jury
14 15
2008
1 st