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TAKSIM SQUARE AS A PORTAL TO ISTANBUL’S PUBLIC REALM Taksim Square is of huge importance, as it shapes a wide range of activities such as politics, trade, arts, religion and social life. In this regard, Taksim has been vital to the development of modern urban life in Istanbul. Taksim is one of the important intersections of the global and the local in Istanbul, and during every period, it has been the square, or “place for everyone and everything”. It has served as a platform for the public’s self-expression throughout all periods, and over time, it has become the city’s most important square, where different sections of society are able to feel at home.
Since the 19th century, Taksim has been one of the few places where the city dweller can breathe, while on the other hand, due to its symbolic location and representative aspect, it has been perceived, during every period since the founding of the Republic, as a tool of signification where governments have displayed their power via the space. The square is placed in the boundary between the green lung that starts in the north of Istambul and intersects with the most central point of the city, becoming a space of transition. A change in the space has been started since the traffic was relocated underground, providing more free space for people, but now it’s time to define this open area.
WHAT DOES THIS SPACE TELL US ?
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bird view from northwest
Although Taksim is today the heart of Istanbul, bustling with life roundthe-clock, in the past it was an area of hermitage, which did not even count as the urban periphery. The so-called “Lead Sarcophagus” dating to 5th century CE, unearthed during the construction of the Istanbul Opera House in 1954 confirms this fact. The area was a place of hermitage for monks described as “the living dead”, as well as a cemetery (necropolis), but transformed into a residential district as the city expanded northward over time. After 1453, as the Ottoman Empire’s population and settlement policies started to have an effect on Istanbul, the urban texture of the city gradually began
to change. By the 18th century, Taksim, which was once a place of hermitage, became a major hub in the city’s water distribution network: This network, created under the reign of Mahmut I in 1732, passed through Beyoğlu, Galata, Kasımpaşa, Fındıklı and Tophane.
public character of the square today manifests itself in its being the iconic space of the nation-state as is the case with Taksim Republic Monument, as well as the place of choice for social demonstrations and movements that oppose the establishment.
The Taksim Artillery Barracks, whose construction began under the reign of Selim III, gave Taksim a military character. The barracks were renovated in 1812 during the reign of Mahmut II, and took their final form under Abdülaziz. The influence of modernization and nation-state formation under the Ottomans was clearly visible in the social transformation of space. The
The open space is now free for green recreation in the city center. It is associated with a great responsibility to carefully define this space. The Green lung is the prelude to the Black Sea from Istanbul, a site of historical and political events - the heart of the city. This local recreation of the green in the city center must be preserved and protected. Responsibility
towards the city, people and the future generation is becoming increasingly important. The free space must become a public meeting place and act as the heart. A functioning heart not only includes the green lung, but also appropriate public institutions are needed to strengthen this heartbeat even more. The best major important stones of society are gathered here, religion, politics and public space are united here. A link between the areas must be created. Parking on the square must be removed!
WHAT DO WE SEE ?
BIG OPEN SPACE THAT IS NOT INTEGRATED NEITHER SEGREGATED. → DEFINITION OF SPACES MISSING → UNDERUSE OF PRIVILEGE AREAS
bird view from east
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HOW CAN WE CREATE A BETTER SPACE ?
east section
EAT
NATURE
→ THE GREEN LUNG IS STRENGTHENED RELAX
→ DEFINE SPACES BUT KEEP IT HOLISTIC
ART EXHIBITION
→ EVERY PLAY GETS ITS OWN STAGE → CITY AREA vs. RECREATIONAL AREA
ESCAPE FROM CITY
→ HIGH QUALITY EXISTING AREAS SHOULD BE PRAISED LEISURE
A monumental structure is created on the edge of the park to help defining the space as well as creating a better proportion in relation to the city. Then the green blaket is lifted to create public spaced under it and in the upper part, the park works as a barrier to the city, creating a escape from the city.
MEET TEMPORARY MARKET TEMPORARY INSTALLATION
The zoned, separated areas are linked by this structure and create short, defined paths to the square. The filter creates a zoning of public life in the square. zoning
PUBLIC EXPRESSION
READ
HOW CAN WE BRING QUALITY AND IDENTITY INTO TAKSIM SQUARE ?
bird view from east
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The new square, shaped by politics and religion, is conceived in urban planning terms. Demonstrations, public events get enough free defined space.
restaurant, retail and bars. The link between horizontal and vertical is redefined. Subway station and parking get new positions in the urban structure.
The new pedestrian zone in the northern area of ​​ the square has also been given a corresponding version. Shopping and visiting a restaurant are placed here in terms of urban planning.
The open spaces will be enlarged with the New Urban Development Intervention, as will Ram, which can be rented or bought as a bar or retail space. At this strategically well-located place you can also find a museum for city history with its place.
The building Neuen Platz
that defines houses the
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bird view from east
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The defined space becomes a city living room through the political clichés and should also belong as well. Outdoor exhibitions are possible. The new urban planning space creates living space and invites you to overwhelm. Different events can take place here in the defined space. The official proximity to the public transport network is checked at the place view. The ascent to the roof garden is celebrated as a strategically favorable place, the organization of the city area with the recreation area of the Green Tongue is made even more clear by the ascent in the building. You walk through the roof garden over an art funnel and you are literally drawn into the green. The filter, the arcades create a setting the city and the green public space more powerful. The different heights of the square are raised and overcome with the administrative structure. On average, you can see how the building overcomes the greatest heights of the square in a playful way. The jump in height is made a virtue.
SUN PROTECTION DURING THE DAY REFLECTIVE SURFACE FOR DIFUSE LIGHT DURING THE NIGHT
north view
WINTER WONDERLAND
north view
OPEN-AIR EXHIBITION
north view
NEW ADDRESS FOR THE METRO STATION
section east
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birdview from city garden
MOBILITY & URBAN EQUIPMENTS
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topview from new metro entrance section metro entrance
smetro station perspective
seating equipment
detail bike dock
New appearance of the subway station, creates identity and does justice to the position of the square. The striking new subway stations create identification and make the place unique.
grass slopes
The bicycle parking spaces can be found directly at the stations. E bike parking spaces and normal bicycles are anchored here. The design is linked to mobility. Seating made from a landscaped landscape and overgrown with lawn is a relaxation zone and playground for young and old at the same time. City cushions that follow the formal language of the square round off
seating outdoor bar
lighting detail
the overall design of the square and create a uniform address. Simple benches for resting and lingering adapt to the covering structure and dimension. The uniform covering creates a visual limitless connection of the square. The uniform image of the square is complemented by the lighting that blends in with the new elegance of the square. The simple appearance of the lighting can be adjusted and aligned according to the season. Depending on the season, the lighting can be adjusted, either sunshades are illuminated in summer to reflect them, or lanterns in winter.
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south perspective view
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TEAM
ARCHITECT
URBAN DESIGNER
LIGHT DESIGN
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
SPECIALIST PLANNER
The architect coordinates the work and makes arrangements, he selects the team and will pre-arrange the meetings. The first tradesman discusses and coordinates with the specialist planners. Careful examination of the construction process and timing on the construction site
Urban planning means and has developed future-oriented models for the historical coexistence of people. He will do this in our team. The urban planning districts or entire cities according to these requirements to guidelines or to redesign them. Social, ecological and legal aspects will be left calm.
In our project, experts should also be able to level and think light correctly. At Prediger, your personal situation is the administration of our advice. We work with you to develop the passenger scenario for you. Our experts ask the right questions and have an overview of our assorted range of lights and their functions.
The open space planning must also with the development. Possible activities are urban planning green concepts, design and action concepts to encounter the political problems and tasks in the course of the conversion of brownfield sites, shrinking processes, green supply and recreation programs, tourism planning and the infrastructure of cities and municipalities .
Specialist planners are important in the construction, we work with structural engineers and building physicists to include a good overall concept. The static things become personal contacts and heard