SPACES FOR DEMOCRACY A forum. From the people, for the people.
Ataturk Kultur Merkezi, Istanbul Master Dissertation Project KU Leuven, Luca school of arts International Master of Science in Architecture campus Ghent academic year 2013-2014 publication year 2014 Jasper Van der Linden academic promotor: Tomas Ooms
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SPACES FOR DEMOCRACY image 00: AKM occupied
How to create a space that gets claimed by it's population, supporting the needs of an evolving society
?
foreword During my education and my life in general I took the opportunity to explore. Getting a lot of different influences is an important part of shaping yourself. Therefor I'm glad that I can trace back many of those influences within my design, which makes this master dissertation a very personal project. My very first real international experience were the European classes. At the age of 16 I was taking part in a democratic discussion platform between highschool students from all over the EU. No wonder I'm designing a space for democracy. Few years later, I chose to start within the field of interior architecture. A very intuitive choice, in my believe that the world is already full enough. That it might be time to reuse buildings, take better profit from the m2 that are already taken instead of going on with occupying more free m2. It's not surprising that this project is working within the valuable framework of the 'already built'. Having been a student and citizen of Istanbul for one year, I fell in love with it's activity, it's culture and mixity,.. This city being such a beloved toy it's no wonder I took my chance to grab it, play with it and let it transform in my hands. Another major influence was my participation in a charity project in Burundi, making very local architecture. Working on a very intimate scale, but still reflecting the global ideas and problems that are playing today, not in the least the question of sustainability and how we can respond to it in terms of materiality,... At the same time this project is a counteranswer on my semester in Buenos Aires, where I was in a studio -and generally surrounded by- the idea that there's no need to look at the existing elements around you. That you can start from a tabula rasa and act just within the world and borders of your own plot. A final influence is my tutor Tomas Ooms. By encouraging an efficient design strategy. By using a method that guided me through my own process and strugglings by understanding my path, giving hints, references and guidelines. Rather then pushing through his own ideas. Respect and thanks for this adequate approach.
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image 01: taksim square
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Central in the program of the international Master of Science in Architecture is a critical reflection about architecture and its social, cultural and environmental role for society. On how aspects of sustainability, universal design, urban ecology and energy-efficient technologies may contribute to the development of more sustainable human settlements.[1]
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Spaces for democracy Ataturk Kultur Merkezi, Istanbul master dissertation international Master of Science in Architecture 2014 Jasper Van der Linden academic promotor: Tomas Ooms
introduction The AKM building had to represent a modern, Western-oriented society when being developed in the 60's. But today this modern image is gone and it does represent the policy of the ruling party in the form of a temporary police station. It does no longer fullfill any public function. While being designed for containing a high quality opera house, the public role of the AKM building was not optimal. The connection with Taksim square is limited to the facade. A bufferzone of functional spaces is hidden behind this facade, working as a camouflage,. It's prominent location on the top of a hill, delivering options for great views is not at all exploited. Neither is the option to interlink itself with the vibrant space of Taksim or the lower located Cihangir area. Breaching the existing borders, a forum get's created, penetrating the city within the existing building. By cutting in it, take away something, add something, as a surgery. Adaptable spaces emerge, having another occupation when there are other needs. Providing opportunities by a certain undefinedness, but at the same time offering a framework of options through sheltering and technical solutions. A space of performance, as a contemporary variation on the greek theatre and the former opera. But the same space is a marketsquare, bringing together social and economic needs. As well as a meetingspot, where conversations and discussions go hand in hand. As one drapery of public space, but with different layers and characteristics. A simple shelter at one place, an intimate square somewhere else, a huge place of performance elsewhere. Former opera functions get redestinated. Housing a knowledge centre, a bar.restaurant, a community centre and residences it becomes a building that brings people together and serves within daily needs. This part of the city can be experienced again as a co-ownership of all it's people together. Being there when they need their share of it.
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table of content 00. foreword 04 01. introduction 08 02. table of content 09 03. framework 10 3.1 Turkey 3.2 Istanbul 3.3 politics 3.4 democracy 04. field of action 23 4.1 Taksim within Istanbul within urban tissue within history as urban space 4.2 AKM as a divider/connector within history AKM plot AKM building topography views 05. design brief 52 06. architectural interventions 56 5.1 masterplan and strategies 5.2 spaces forum knowledge center residences sidesquare 07. construction 81 6.1 materials upgrade existing part material reuse add new construction new facade 6.2 earthquake design 08. appendix 97 9.1 casestudies 9.2 sources 9.3 quotes 09. references 108 10.1 bibliography 10.2 image inventory 10.3 credits
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03. framework
Turkey | Istanbul | politics | democracy
History
Constantinople, a world on it's own. Turkey, ones the center of the almighty ottoman empire. For hundreds of years the power of the sultans was spreading from the Balkan to the Persian gulf, from arabia till the northwest of Africa. These sultans based themselves in Constantinople, a tactical spot on the shores of the Bosphorus, a key point in naval transport. Trade of culture and goods made this spot into a meltpot of different cultures. As much as the Bosphorus is a physical barrier between east and west, Constantinople is a bridge to let them come together. Today the famous empire is gone, split into pieces. With Turkey being one piece of it. Constantinople lost it's name, making place for the contemporary Istanbul. It even lost it's power, making place for the current capital Ankara. But it didn't loose it's charm. The melting pot of east and west, where you delusion yourself in greece one moment, in the middle east a few tram stops further and after another 15 minutes of walking within an Asian slum.
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image 02: facebook friendship + population density
Localisation
Turkey, a bridge to the East. Turkey still has a unique position. It is geographically sandwiched between Europe, the Middle East and Russia. But the uniqueness is not only in it's location, also it's identity is a very complex mix of different influences. In 1923 Turkey was born in it's current form. A strong process of westernisation has been applied by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and it's followers. The application to become a member of the EU can be seen as an extension of this process. But when analyzing the real identity of the state we need to go deeper into the characteristics of the people. Looking at two of the most obvious characteristics, language and religion, it seems that they are more related to eastern countries. Also historically the balance was more pointing towards the east. It's neither A or B, Turkey is Turkey and although there is an important share of the population that's begging to be a part of the EU, it's unique identity and a significant amount of rather traditional people are keeping the country where it is; in the middle of it all.
Istanbul 2014
A city with growth pain. That's the least you can say about this exploding metropolis. Since the 80's, together with the boom of the neoliberalism, millions of migrant workers from Anatolia were brought into the city. Without sufficient social housing available, innumerous shantytowns started to grow. "While to some these shantytowns are an embodiment of aesthetic ugliness and bad infrastructure on a macro and micro-scale, considering the last 30 years, the situation might not be as bad as it is made out to be. Governmentsponsored social-housing schemes where the working class has been placed in massive concrete buildings on the outskirts of the city centers have brought social turmoil for the people of many global cities. So perhaps these shantytowns in Istanbul, in their own way, have up until now provided acceptable homes, neighborhoods and reliable communities for the working class."[3] Of course, there are, besides the housing issue so many other variables in the equation, such as the possibility of a third bridge, the construction of more roads instead of solving the traffic problem on a macro-scale, how privatization has come to the point where the public voice is ignored and trampled on because someone out there needs to make millions of dollars from construction. The city of Istanbul is growing out of proportion in a way that will see its resources being insufficient to support its inhabitants. Ecological limits have been surpassed. Economic limits have been surpassed. Population limits have been surpassed. Social cohesion has been lost. [3]
image 03: the growth of Istanbul since 1960 Taksim is surrounded by very light blue, meaning that it is located in an older part of the city.
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image 04: Istanbul cityscape from Sapphire tower
Current politics 2014
The country has been founded on very western ideas by Kemal Atatürk, introducing a separation between state and religion and getting rid of the arabic language in favor of the Turkish one. But also the start of a democratic voting system, replacing the century old autocracy of the sultans. Till a few years ago the state has been growing into a state with a mature democracy. Turkey was the country that would join democracy and the islam, and therefor be an example for the muslimworld. A state with huge economic opportunities, almost ready to get into the EU. All this with support of a young generation, ready to be part of the modern world. But things have changed, so it seems. During the third governance of Tayyip Erdogan (20112014) the Turkish democracy slowly started to break down. The lawstate got hollowed out, de separation of power almost disappeared, the free press has to shut up, the style of the regime is almost autoritairy. Erdogan, a sultan with a new face. [4]
Although Erdogan got rightfully elected by it's people, this doesn't make you a sultan yet. Democracy with the western model means that the individual citizen can stand up for it's own rights and opinion without any fear. And that is clearly not the case in contemporary Turkey. 'In 2013 millions of people came together in Gezi parc to show their disagreement with the current government. Protesting against the fact that Erdogan does what he wants. Erdogan chose for teargas and blood. Who is not with him, is against him, that's what the gezi-protesters clearly found out. They would just love to be part of a new Turkey, a turkey that no longer carry's the loads of the past. But the 'gezi-generation' wanted more then Erdogan can or wants to give. Never had turkey been more colorfull, tolerant and creative then during those days in 2013. Too colourfull, too tolerant, too creative for Erdogan. The Kurdish were sitting next to the ultranationalists, the yogamat laying next to the prayermat, gays and lesbiens organised themselves, food was given around, debates were happening overcoming the ideological borders. The freedom that he saw in Geziparc scared him. The offered hand got answered with a fist.'[5]
image 05: democracy index, 2010. full democracy, flawed democracy hybrid regime authoritarian regime
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'Turkey has everything that we admire in Asian or South-American states: a young population, that wants to learn and use their hands...' [6]
image 06: Taksim during 2013 protests
Democracy and public space
Democracy in it's essence is a political matter. 'But it encompasses social, religious, cultural, ethnic and racial equality, justice, liberty and fraternity. The sytem originates from the greek that invented this name, literally meaning "the rule of the people" demos (people) and kratos (rule).'[7] Naturally, such a way of governing will develop a spatial system. Richard Sennett studied this link between the political system of democracy and space. In the old greece this consisted of the Agora and the Pnyx. The Agora is a square where you take note of the other people, create diversity and prepare for the debate. The Pnyx uses the physical form of a theater. It serves to debate and make decisions, and is based on concentration, identification, exposure and fixity. Another element is situated next to the Agora; the stoa. A halfopen shed that functions as a transition area, a place for retreat without loosing connectivity with the agora. The combination of those spaces is facilitating the idea that democracy starts with dialogues, debates and shared deliberations to take you out of your own sphere. "A democracy supposes people can consider views other then their own" said Aristoteles. Therefor you need difference. Mix things so that people get used to the unknown. Create discussion platforms and interaction.[8]
image 07: the Greek model
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This discussion platform is clearly missing in contemporary turkey. When the people start a debate by gathering on taksim square it turns out that the byspeaker is not listening. When they start protesting it simply gets gagged. Can we then still talk about a democracy? Democracy ain't that you subject yourself to a dictatership to which you can vote every few years. Democracy is that it's all ours, it's all ours together, we own everything. Everything that is public is ours. And of course there are constantly negotiatans to be made about when, what, where. But the ideal that public space is ours to begin with, is something worth defending. The Gezi-case, among several others, has clearly shown that the public space in Turkey is in the hands of the prime minister, and by far not in hands of the public.
A STORY ABOUT DEMOCRACY people
world
this system is called democracy
the world is from all these people together
now the people can live in their world and the one guy manages it for them
to organize this world the population picks a guy that has similar ideas as them
when the people still feel that the world is from them, it is good
but when the one guy does #whateverthefuckhewants it goes wrong
THE END the people will not see the world as theirs anymore
then it is not a democracy but they just gave away their world
The city is in it's essence a co-ownership of all it's people together. In an economic pattern where more and more functions are privatizing, where shopping malls and gated communities are booming (today's Zaman, march 16th 2014) this logic is taking a downturn. Although a space like a shopping mall gives a certain perception of being public, and it even fullfills certain characteristics of a public space, it still is under private control. This in contrast to a neighbourhood market which simply is a cooperation and agreement between a group of vendors. A democratic space is therefor a space that can be claimed (temporally). Occupy a little part of it when it serves you.
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image 08: street vendor, Sisli
image 09: personal theatre, Istiklal
image 10: Tarlabasi Pazari
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04. field of action Taksim | AKM
Sisli area
Tarlabasi area
Talimhane
Intercontinental hotel
area
Gezi Taksim square
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parc
Suzer Plaza
Bosphorus
hotel
AKM Ataturk kultur merkezi
Cihangir area
image 11: view from Marmara hotel
BLACK SEA
image 12: Istanbul overview
ISTIKLAL
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HISTORICAL PENINSULA
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Taksim within Istanbul the centre of today
Within Istanbul there can be recognized several centers, both in the European as in the asian side. But historically seen, the historical peninsula has clearly been a main core. The ottoman empire erected famous mosques as the Haghia Sophia and the blue mosque, ingenious systems as the water systern, firewatchtowers,.. Their whole world was ruled from this peninsula, from within it's palace. But today's world is different. The historical peninsula transformed into a tourist highlight, and other centres form now the more active cores of the city. Probably the most important one is Taksim square and the area around it. A transport hub connecting the city by metro, busses, funicular, minibusses, cars and foot. Serving as a shopping heaven in Istiklal street for anyone that needs a popular clothing brand to the more alternative options. Delivering pleasure through art gallery's and a tremendous nightlife in it's sidestreets. It also houses a big amount of embassies, consulates and other institutions. Together with the big offer of international hotels and several business functions there is a concentration of rather western oriented people. Another remarkable future are demonstrations that take place. Tradtionally such demonstrations leave from the end of Istiklal end proceed towards Taksim square. Therefor this is the place to be if you have to tell something to your fellow citizens, the media and therefor the rest of the country or it's leaders. It is a place where you get noticed. Taksim can be described as the modern centre of Istanbul. A place that everyone knows, a place for meeting and passing by, a place that everyone knows. But more then others the young and western-minded people. Being the core of such a vast city, it's populated on every possible moment of the day or night. Demonstrations form another part of it's identity, especially since the happenings in the summer of 2013.
image 13
SISLI
BESIKTAS TARLABASI
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BEYOGLU
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Taksim within urban tissue Taksim square, usually a happy chaos, becomes traffic free. This doesn't seem to benefit the public space. It does separate very much the natural flow of pedestrian traffic and this public space. It will 'alienate' the square, as it is very much a place of passing by, it will loose an important part of it's current function. Having an underground tunnelnetwork is an intelligent option in order to make the very congested public space more liveable for the pedestrians, giving safety and overview. But doing so for passing-by vehicles is enough to reach this solution. Stops for busses, minibusses and very local traffic are part of the urban tissue and should not be kept underground. On the side looking away from taksim we find the Cihangir area. Cihangir fulfills an interesting function in connecting the dense Taksim area with the open Bosphorus. Three main options are available; big traffic road, intimite pedestrian routes by stair-alleyways and a funicular, part of the public transport.
CARS MINIBUS METRO BUS
UNDERGROUND TRAFFIC BOSPHORUS CONNECTION TRAFFIC BOSPHORUS CONNECTION PEDESTRIAN FUNICULAR TAKSIM-KABATAS
image 14: historic ottoman barracks
image 15: timelapse
1 1806-1921
military barracks
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2 1969-2013 AKM
Taksim within history Developing from a military point to the place for the western world to the playground of a dictator.
In 1806, when the Ottoman empire was still ruling, the military baracs were in the middle of the city. In the modern part of the city, where the intellectuals come together, that is where the danger is. And that is were to autoritaric ottoman regime places its barracks with 5000 soldiers. But then Kemal Ataturk came in and tried to turn Turkey in a secular state.The barracks were first transformed into the first footballstadium of Turkey. In 1940 the barracks were demolished. This is where Gezi park and Taksim arrised. And Gezi and Taksim became the symbol of saying 'we chased out the ottoman, islamic soldiers from the center of the city. This is now a secular city and we dont want soldiers in the middle of it.[9] Turkey is now a democracy since the 1920's.[4] Therefor the abscence of the baracks is an important symbol of Turkey as a democracy.
Besides this symbol of democracy a new building is added. The Ataturk Kultur Merkezi (AKM). The AKM building had to represent a modern, western-oriented society when being developed in the 60's. Today Erdogan changed this representiation of a western society into a police station. Now symbol of a ruler that keeps it's power by force. He also decided to rebuild those military barracks, in Gezi parc. Not to house soldiers, but to house a shopping mall. The symbol of the ottoman power, over the civil society. Not with soldiers but with a shopping mall. And he wants to do this in a parc that represents, overcoming it's Ottoman history and becoming first a secular state and then a democracy.
POLICE
1 1806-1921
military barracks
2 1969-2013 AKM
The redevelopment plans of Taksim imply big changes that would result into the elimination of gezi parc and the rebuilding of Ottoman barracs in the shape of shopping mall. But also the installation of underground traffic tunnels and rebuilding the square and pedestrian flow. On an urbanistic level this leads towards destruction of the natural flow of pedestrian traffic and public space. Resulting in a commercialy oriented overcontrolled and separated center. [10]
3 2013-...
Police station
4 201X-...
shopping mall
Moment of interference
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POLICE
1 1806-1921
military barracks
2 1969-2013 AKM
3 2013-...
Police station
x interfering design
4 201X-...
shopping mall
Taksim as urban space 'In order to understand the square's space, we must first look at the buildings and spaces that frames the negative space that is Taksim Square. To it's west is the entrance to Istiklal street which is marked by the circular Republic Monument built prior to the square in 1928 to commemorate the newly founded Turkish Republic. To its north is Gezi Park built on top of the old army Barracks in the 40's by urban designer Henry Prost, which is perched above the square blocking visual connection towards the actual park space and the city beyond it. To its east the AKM Ataturk Cultural Center stands firmly as a central modernist building representing a contemporary Turkey from the 60's, currently occupied by the police. To its south stands the 32 story Marmara Hotel built in the 70's that occupies the entire block.' [11] Taksim square as a big open surface is an interesting space. A democracy needs a flat, open, exposed, visible space to give the people of the demos the chance to show their thoughts. This on a representative, unignorable scale and a physical level. This way taksim can fungate as a place for feedback for the city and in extension the country. Also the neighbouring functions offer interesting, and above all public, opportunities. Gezi park stands as a modest size park at only 38,000m2. While, this may seem an insignificant size when seen in the scale of the larger city, it is easily noticeable that it is one of the very few inner city parks that exist. Also the AKM building has the potential to offer another type of public entertainment in the form of opera plays. Altogether this area has an offer of openness and public space, which is unique in such a dense and central part of Istanbul. But the way the spaces interrelate needs to be rethought. Right now those three public zones are somehow isolated from each other. Gezi parc as it is topographically located higher. AKM as it's closed and not communicating it's public role clearly. We focus on the border between Taksim and it's neighbouring public spaces; Gezi and akm. An overlapping zone will be added each time to interlink those spaces. By adding these extra gradients the initial spaces still keep their identity, but we are able to physically offer the space to the people in an obvious way. For this project we zoom in especially on the creation of a zone that overlaps Taksim and AKM.
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The added gradients, reconnecting the major public zones.
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AKM
TAKSIM
40
AKM used to be an opera building; open when there is an opera or other cultural event. Supposing you knew about it, were interested and able to afford a ticket you could get in. But for most people it stays an unknown world. Although the facade is mainly transparant the building is not really inviting you in. from the outside it doesn't communicate in any way what it has to offer. Personally having lived close to Taksim for one year I passed the building a hundred times, but never realised what was hidden inside.
AKM within history Icon from the 60's
The Atatürk Kültür Merkezi in Istanbul has been modern Turkey's touchstone for contemporary culture since the Mayor of Istanbul, Lütfi Kirdar, instigated the project to provide an opera house for Istanbul in 1946. The initiative to realize the building was a difficult and long one, with many different designs reviewed from a number of different architects. The building was finally completed in 1969 by architect Hayati Tabanlioglu, but it was in operation for just one year before a fire caused seven further years of reconstruction, with AKM only being able to operate again in 1977. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century these ups and downs in the planning, construction, and operation of AKM described the dynamics of the modernization efforts of the Republic of Turkey as it attempted to create the institutions of a modern state and society. The collection of architects and designers led by Tabanlioglu envisioned exactly this robust modernism in their plans for AKM. Starting with the German educated Tabanlioglu's rare and crucial advanced understanding of opera and theater buildings, to the technical and design abilities of the architect Aydun Boysan, engineer Willi Ehle, lighting designer Johannes Dinnebier and the ceramicists Sadi and Belma Diren, these practitioners along with many other individuals and institutions generated a civic public building at a scale and level of detail that had not existed before in Turkey.[2]
image 18: Archive pictures of the AKM source: SALT Research, Hayati Tabanlioglu Archive
42
Refurbishment The Atatürk Kültür Merkezi (AKM/Atatürk Cultural Center) holds a critical role as one of the most important architectural and cultural reference points in Turkey. Through its many phases of design, construction and operation, the project's architects, the public, governmental and cultural groups vied with one another to control the direction for modern and contemporary culture in the country. Up through the decision in the spring of 2012 to renovate the building, competing interests endeavored to ashion AKM towards ideological lines that hoped to redirect its architecture, urban position and program based on their own visions. These debates introduce a wide range of issues and questions about the way culture functions in Turkey today. The Performance of Modernity: ATATÜRK KÜLTÜR MERKEZI, 1946-1977 takes AKM as a pivotal example in order to investigate the recent past as a window onto current cultural practices.[2]
image 19: The new AKM as developed by Tabanlioglu architects source: www.arkitera.com/proje/index/detay/ataturk-kulturmerkezi-yenileme-projesi/2047
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AKM plot The akm building is designed to be approched by the visitors from taksim square. There you enter a lobby and are further guided towards one of the performance halls. Artists and services approach the building from one of the backstreets. They lead towards the back part of the building where all kind of related services are available. A gigantic rehearsal room, technical support, a cafetaria and kitchen for up to 160 people,.. On the north side there are 4 levels of parkings and storing spaces connected to the akm on an underground level. Although the whole building has a very logical and pragmatic set-up and the necessary spaces are available, the way the building responds to the adjacant functions is very limited. Especially on the east the building is really understood as a back side. The open spaces are simple rest spaces that are not taken care of. The adjacant housing could also take more profit from this nearby green space.
image 20
1
This zone functions as the frontsquare of the akm. It is an important transition zone from the square/streets to AKM.
2
Currently a parking lot on top. Inside parking and a few functions related to AKM. Visually it connects direction Bosphorus. Physically rather isolated is it is a platform laying higher then it's surrounding.
3
Enclosed restzone between AKM and residential plots. Very fragmented and only subtle relations with the the surrounding buildings/streets/AKM. Part a lays on the level of taksim, part b is lower.
image 21. AKM model by salt research
podium side opera hall functions
entry area taksim
46
residences
AKM building as found
The akm is an public square.
opera
building
located
at
a
But there is a missed chance to let the opera really function within this urban setting. The opera space within the setup it get's placed now is not so much related to the daily life of the citizens. The entry area is a functional buffer between taksim and the opera, which is necessary, but at the same time it's too much a blockade. The opera hall itself is very closed and encapsuled within the building, only being exposed when you bought a ticket for a specific concert and especially go for such a specific cultural event. An action that onlyIt is not really a space from the people. The building setup being organised for artist entries and deliveries, the general structure and techniques, the connectivity with the parking,... makes sense, it just needs to be upgraded to a contemporary use. Therefor the structure will be kept and upgraded, but by cutting in it, taking away a part and adding something the building will better embed and respond to it's urban environment. Functions will be moved and redestinated
78m
48
82m
74m
67m
Topography
2,5m
0m
50
Views
sustainable concept A design focused on the presence of a support within the society is in itself a key factor towards sustainability. By making a democratic place that is sensed by people as being theirs, a place that admits change, accident, and improvisation, an architecture not invested in durability, stability, and certainty, but an architecture that leaves space for uncertainty for the real. By applying this concept, this attitude, the struggling between the physical output and the needs of the people will be minimal. Therefor it will be sustainable. Add smart choices of reuse where approriate, adequate material choices and efficient usages to this idea. But also an economic architecture. Invest the money where really needed to make the program work at it's best. And after all, let it be a project that is able to carry the weight of Istanbul, but at the same time doesn't forget that it is still part of a area, a neighbourhood, with inhabitants. That it is part of a civilisation with it's specific culture and habits. Part of an area with it's own materials and climatic characteristics.
05. design brief 52
A space for democracy, spatial implementations concluding the former treated topics, the following are design tools that implement the visions on a space for democracy.
agora
pnyx
stoa
dialogue discussion interaction mixity
debate exposure
retreat
-A combination of public spaces each with it's own characteristics which evoke a different use-
-Mix things so that people get used to the unknown. Create discussion platforms and interaction-
-The city as a co-ownership of all it's people together-
the field of action, target points
concluding the former site and building analysis, the following are design tools that implement the existing situation, counter it's shortcomings and missed opportunities.
-Taksim is the centre of modern Istanbul, accept and impliment it's size and importance-
-It's a transportation hub, busses, minibusses, metro, all need their share within the urban space-
-The building is located on a very public location, so it should act accordingly. A transition space can breach the borders of akm and taksim, being an extension of both-
-The existing building is very closed, by cutting in it porosity can be created-
54
-The existing structure is solid, but needs improvement in energetic properties-
-The building is neighboring a dense residential area. By dragging residences into the building it becomes part of it-
-Offering existing views creates a visual connectivity with the bigger city-
-use the existing topography. Height differences can define clear zones, without the necessity of a barrier-
56
06. architectural interventions masterplan | strategies | spaces
masterplan
residences
daycare
kitchen
bar.restaurant
88m
community centre
knowledge centre
55m
82m
forum
44m
58
masterplan
cutted one level above taksim
60
masterplan
axonometric overview highlighting the -1 level, interconnecting different functions within and around the buidling
By taking away the frontal 25m of the original building the former hard border gets erased. New spaces emerge with visual and physical interrelations, different gradations of exposure and intimacy.
62
agora
pnyx
dialogue discussion interaction mixity
debate exposure
64
Lowering a part of the urban level blends in with the existing topography. New connections emerge and the building becomes more porous where necessary. Creating accessible spaces, while still keeping a level difference when wanting to prevent a zone to become too exposed to the city. 17.feb.14
Transportation hub Busses and minibusses are lineary organised along the street. This way they charge the space, without creating a real overflow. A new connection is created into the building block around which the transportation hub is organized, this will strenghten the working of this hub as a whole. Also note the clear interconnection with the forum, although clearly seperated by a level difference both zones can take profit from each other.
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urban
neighbourhood
spaces
forum image 21: cut by Gordon Matta Clark
Breaching the existing borders, a forum get's created, penetrating the city within the existing building. By cutting in it, take away something, add something, as a surgery. Adaptable spaces emerge, having another occupation when there are other needs. Providing opportunities by a certain undefinedness, but at the same time offering a framework of options through sheltering and technical solutions. A space of performance, as a contemporary variation on the greek theatre and the former opera. But the same space is a marketsquare, bringing together social and economic needs. As well as a meetingspot, where conversations and discussions go hand in hand. As one drapery of public space, but with different layers and characteristics. A simple shelter at one place, an intimate square somewhere else, a huge place of performance elsewhere.
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agora
dialogue discussion interaction mixity
pnyx
debate exposure
-A space that is an extension of the city, facilitating events, happenings, meeting and exhibiting-
image 27 City hall, Ghent by MJ Van Hee and Robbrecht & Daem
image 28 Wyly theater, Dallas by Rex & Oma
image 29 Salt, Istanbul by Suyabatmaz
70
-By lowering the field a new area with it's own clear identification gets created.-
image 32 Pole Muséal, Lausanne by 51N4E
image 33 Operaplein, Antwerpen by 51N4E
knowledge center sharing of knowledge
power to the people
agora
pnyx
stoa
dialogue discussion interaction mixity
debate exposure
retreat
sit. discuss. read.
consult (e-)book, computers,..
books
72
image 34. El ateneo, Buenos Aires (ref.)
residences
and neighbourhood functions
The side of the building that is facing the Cihangir neighbourhood will be filled with housing. About 50 housing units, ranging from 60m2 to 120m2. This housing will be supplemented by other functions that serve the inhabitants and close neighbourhood such as a football pit, prayer room and a children daycare center.
example duplex (90m2) +/-50 housing units with altered size and setup
connection towards second level storage or badroom living room
kitchen/dining
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child daycare
connection towards lower level
connection towards rooftop level
main entry
imsge 34. soccer pit, Loja, Ecuador (ref.)
residences
connection towards other residences
football pit
praying rooms
residential storage
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stoa
sidesquare retreat
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07. construction
materials | structure | earthquake
1. Upgrading the existing part
demolished
existing
taksim
Most of the existing AKM-building is kept. It is a solid construction with concrete as the main material. But as it was constructed end of the 60's the insulation standards and technical requirements are not sufficient for today's use. An extra skin gets added on the outside of the building, around the parts that require a pleasant indoor climate. This skin exists from a woodfibre plate for the insulation and a plaster as finish, mimicking the most popular finishing in the surrounding neighbourhood.
finishing plaster 2cm homatherm woodfiber insulation plate 10cm exisiting concrete wall 30cm
detail section of added insulation 1:10
The necessary appliances are installed, with a focus on a minimal electrical and water consumation. They are powered by solar panels and a solar collector on the roof. Rainwater gets collected and used where possible.
led bulb, 25W
20liter/day
saving shower head 44liter/shower
CFL, 5W
light dimmers
reduce energy usage
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Xeros washing machine water primary nylon polymer beads
water saving dishwasher 11liter/wash
pv panels
solar collector
create energy resources
from
rainwater harvesting
natural
2. Tear down front part and reuse materials
taksim
The first 25m of the original building on the side of taksim will be heavily reshaped. The construction that is existing now is approached as a lego construction. We break apart the different lego parts and try to reuse the pieces as much as possible when building up the final design. This way we reduce the pile of waste, the need for newly created materials, as well as the transport of both. In the very city center of Istanbul, already plagued by it's heavy traffic this last argument is a huge plus above the obvious other environmental factors.
rotated aluminium lattice, hanging in front of the facade
There are loads of concrete used all over the AKM building. When tearing down a concrete building, you need to get rid if the waste. Usually bringing it to landfills means that this this becomes a very costly and environmentalunfriendly method. By sawing the removed concrete slabs in pieces, we can reuse them as bricks. Those bricks are able to create very massive and solid walls with a rustic feel. Tiles for ground covering are a second target.
image 36. sawn and reused concrete
3. add new constructions taksim
84
a. side hall
covering layer, stone 4cm decking plates
4cm
homatherm woodfiber insulation plate 12cm wooden beam 40x10cm wooden column 30x10cm steel staircase
reclaimed concrete tiles (see earlier)
2,65m
existing concrete column
0,5m
3. add new constructions taksim
b. front shelter
image 39 theaterplein, Antwerpen by Secchi & Viganò (ref)
steel I-beam 90cm watertight finishing 3cm prefabricated concrete slabs 30cm steel I-beam 90cm 9,6m
steel column 90cm
aluminium lattice steel grid carpet stack cover
7,9m
20,8m
existing detail
two columns are penetrating the existing concrete slabs, preventing horizontal tortion
all columns have a rigid connection on top and bottom
4. facade: carpet stack The framework of the front shelter needs a cover to protect the space from the elements and make a pleasable athmosphere. At the same time it is the face of a building and gives identity to the whole plot and area. To specify this identity a specific yet logical material needs to be selected. For this facade the tradition and large stack of carpets will be addressed. Different carpets will be layered over each other. This way a very recognizable, intrigating pattern gets created. A random patchwork of history and craftsmanship. The carpets are able to block rainfall and strong winds, but when patterned wisely and when desirable they still give the opportunity to let light penetrate.
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At the same time we can use it's characteristics to absorb sound echoing in our performance hall. We take ordinary, yet beautiful, objects out of their context and reuse them as building materials. This results in a facade that is powerfull, but still has a human scale into it. Contrary to using the common, very abstract materials this might help the process of identification with the building. Hanging these domestic elements on such a prominent place is a clear statement that the building is taken back by the people.
image 39 Tarlabasi Istanbul Laundry hanging outside to dry A common view in the streets of Tarlabasi, an area not so far from taksim. This image gives a pleasant feeling, the feeling of a neighbourhood where people are living, where things are happening.
image 40 spanish pavillion, Bejing An intrigating example of stacking traditional materials, resulting in an identifyable shell with an understandable scale.
Earthquake sensitive areas, Istanbul located in a red 'danger zone'
Earthquake
The big Marmara earthquake "It's inevitable, a certainty," said Professor Okan Tuysuz, director of the Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences at the city's Technical University. "We know the scale. We know the place. We just don't know exactly when, but there's a 65% probability that Istanbul will be hit by a 7.6 earthquake by 2030. That's a very high probability." [12] This prediction is supported by a torrent of research in recent years that has highlighted the vulnerability of this city, which is one of Europe's biggest, and the challenges of being ready for such a natural disaster. With a population of up to 15 million, growing at an estimated 400,000 a year, and with 1.6m buildings, the effect of the gloom-mongering is to engender mass anxiety about life choices: where to live, how to afford it, how to get organised. 40% of all buildings throughout Istanbul would be damaged and 2% would completely collapse in the event of an earthquake with a magnitude higher than 7, said Professor Mustafa Erdik, head of the Earthquake Research Institute.[13] Main factors in the risk of damage are the location and state of a building. Within the location it is important that vibrations within the ground won't be equal in all Istanbul. Zone one, as indicated on the map will be targeted the strongest by an earthquake. Zone 3 the least. Also the ground composition is of importance. The red area on the map has the weakest soil and has therefor the most subsidence. Avcilar is, based on these data, the most targeted area. It is located in zone I and is consisted of weak soil.[14]
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When looking at Beyoglu, Taksim, we can conclude that this is an area of medium risk. The main geological formation in the area of Beyoglu is the Thrace formation that is mainly composed of shale, sandstone, limestone and siltstone. This soil is rather resistant. When being hit by an earthquake taksim is located in the second zone. It won't be hit the hardest, but it's still a badly targeted zone. Next to the location of a building the way it's constructed is an important factor. Istanbul counts millions of buildings, going from illegal slum constructions to very high-tech buildings, from very solid historical buildings to contemporary houses that got quickly thrown together. Poorly constructed buildings are dangerous when they get struck by an earthquake. That's exactly why an earthquake in a generally welldeveloped country as Chili has less impact then a weaker earthquake in poor Hawaii. The AKM building is made with higher professionalism then those low-quality houses. A solid concrete framework, but it's unclear if specific measures have been taken to make the construction earthquake-resistant.
III
II
I
The strength of ground composition, varying within the city of Istanbul.
image 42 subsidence map
Seismic design Technical solutions
Generally there are two ways to handle the earthquake resistancy of building. You either make it stronger or more flexible. Just like historical buildings did, making a building more flexible is a matter of having less tenses within your construction. In the old times, floors were often not attached to the walls, or the construction as a whole was not anchored within the ground. This prevents the forces that are happening within the shaking ground from tearing on your construction. Nowadays systems as base isolation under a building are used. This consists of a rubber/ lead piece that separates your building from it's foundation and the ground. Similarly, springs can be used. Making your building stronger is a technique that's also applicable to upgrade existing constructions that turn out too weak. Easy remedies such as steel rods on the corners of concrete constructions or bolt a wood building to it's foundation are easy and affordable solutions. [15]
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Design approach
added construction
housing
AKM
f
s
Any new construction that plans to be in the city for a reasonable time needs to target a full seismic resistance. The infill of the building might change in time, but the framework needs to be ready.
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rt
ea
n atio dapt no a
e
ak
u hq
s
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pr
Generally, it can be said that a high quality construction on a rather strong underground in the second zone is not so likely to collapse. In the unfortunate scenario that the shock turns out big enough to make the building collapse anyhow, so will the houses and most other existing constructions in the area. But in that case, with most of the area erased from the map, wouldn't it be time for an overall new approach? Preferably on a city scale. Therefor the building is left as it is.
The proposed new construction is set-up as a boat floating in the water. The construction is separated from the ground in order to expose it less from ground shaking. As this idea has been integrated from the concept stadium onwards, the extra cost for making it seismic resistant will be only marginally higher.
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08. appendix
casestudies | sources | quotes