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TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION
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Istanbul is dense. As other global metropolises it is dense of people, of buildings, of monuments. More than other metropolises, Istanbul is dense of atmospheres. From the darkness and stilness of the underground cisterns to the brightness and liveliness of the Bosphorus waterfront, from the intimate calmness of the religious complexes to the collective pandemonium of its football stadiums. The recognizability of this great variety atmospheres in a multitude of sites derives from the co-existence of two factors: a clear and legible spatial quality and organization and a set of practices and rituals that recurrently take place in these sites. After the many changes suffered in recent years, today Taksim Square lacks a clear morphology and hierarchy between its parts, both above and below ground, and a coherent relation with the buildings and infrastructures that define its edges. The proposed project of redefinition of the public spaces of Taksim Square aims at reshaping the square from the sky above its precious trees to the tunnels of the underground public transportation through a set of interventions at the architectural, infrastructural and landscape levels. Interventions that aim at connecting in a coherent way the surface and underground “worlds”, that show both the patience to improve relatively small problems of accessibility and the boldness to define new larger public underground landmarks. This with the declared intent of providing the different “worlds” that constitute this complex urban body with clear and recognizable atmospheres, resulting from a mixture of smooth functionality and aesthetic ambition. The proposed project finds its foundations in a deep historic consciousness, in the awareness of the stratification over and around Taksim Square of multiple layers of accomplished and imagined designs, as well as multiple and often opposing political and social intentions. The presence of the Ataturk Cultural Centre, of the Republic Monument and of the new Taksim Mosque suggests an understated approach on the above ground level, aimed primarily at reorganizing and giving a clear character to Gezi Park and its surroundings.
Our approach works on three different levels. The first one proposes to create a sort of archeology of the future in which the historical layers and the geology of Gezi Park result unveiled and framed. The goal is not only to emphasize the park’s memory and its identity but also to create spaces able to host the very diverse flows and activities of contemporary visitors. These framed spaces work on different ground elevations through the construction of three main interventions: The Belvedere, The Big Lawn, and The Square Park. The Belvedere is a 190-meter circa long stepped earth bank with a terrace on the top. It’s a gathering space that allows seeing Taksim square from a privileged point of view. The Big Lawn is the new central space of Gezi Park, it’s around 12.500 square meters and it is half-meter dug compared to the surrounding paved area. This new green space will host most of the connections with the underground intervention. The Square Park is 60 m per side and it’s a space that allows a more intimate experience of the flora of the park. Some ground movements have the purpose to show the stratification of the geology of the area, and to allow an immersive experience walking throughout different paths excavated into the new contours. Another element of Gezi Park will be the creation of a water square where now we have the preexisting fountain. We imagine, like as for an archeological excavation, to preserve specific elements like stairs, barracks, and the main traces/footprints of the historical park. So they will gain a new symbolic value representing at the same time the memory and the future of Taksim Square.
The second level of intervention revolves around what we called The Forest Plaza. The three main landscapes of Gezi Park will be surrounded by a continuous paved area planted with a dense grid of trees. We propose to plant this grid mainly with Pinus nigra and Pinus halepensis. These species will be used to frame and densify the presence of the existing trees. The scenario will be of a forest square in which it will be The above-ground project aims to emphasize the historical possible to host all the plaza activities and at the same time layers of Taksim Square through a series of interventions to be protected by the canopy of the trees. We acknowledge that frame some spaces to make them more visible and, at and support the importance of the existing trees that will the same time, more accessible to different uses. preserve or replanted when possible or necessary. The
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forest square will evidence, in a symbolic way, the central Square, on the other has the ambition of giving a stronger role the existing trees have not only for Taksim Square but character and attractiveness to the underground spaces for the whole city of Istanbul. through the realization of three new hypogeal spaces. The morphology of these spaces is characterized by primary The last level of intervention deals with what we called The forms. They are connected to the existing underground Nocturnal Square. We imagine a public space constellated routes giving birth to a set of civic public venues. Three by a new landmark of 24 light structures that creates venues that together constitute a contemporary municipal during night different light scenographies. The presence urban center, The Istanbul Urban Center, as many other of this new lighting system will favorite all the nocturnal metropolises have. A set of spaces where to discuss activities already present at Taksim and the future ones. and study the present condition and future scenarios These metallic structures are 5 to 6 meters in height, and for the development of Istanbul in different forms, from some of them are assembled to small parallelepipeds presentations and projections with a small number of covered by stone and they are meant to be used for seating. people to larger rooms that can host exhibitions and public The metallic structures, shaped with arcs and circles, took debates. A set of inclusive rooms that welcome citizens of inspiration from the Hagia Sophia suspended chandeliers, all ages. here revisited as portals or gates of light for all the diverse communities of the square. Four isolated trees (Cercis siliquastrum) punctuate the Nocturnal Square. In the entire Taksim Square site, we imagine using as ORGANIZATION CHART paving material stone in different cuts, from bigger ones to gravel, and in The Big Lawn a meadow that changes in - Urban planner / Phd in Urbanism - Landscape architect colors according to the blossoming period. - Architect expert in heritage conservation / Specialization at the Graduate School in Architectural and Landscape If the approach above ground is understated and respectful Heritage of the multiple layers that stratified over Taksim Square, - Architect below ground a more radical set of interventions is - Architect needed. In fact, the relatively recent realization of major infrastructural works as vehicular tunnels –with the pedonalization of above ground surfaces– and underground metro stations and connecting spaces has generated a series of unsolved spaces, that lack either functionality or a clear character. The suggested interventions address a different range of issues, from improving the accessibility and increasing the sense of security and safety, from the small scale –as the redefinition of the section of the narrow exits from the underground to the surface level or the rearrangement of the lanes of the vehicular tunnel in order to enlarge the space available to the bus users– to the large scale– as the opening of large circulation volumes with ramps and stairs that bring fresh air and light to the existing dark and underused underground spaces. If on one side the project aims at improving the existing condition and extending the green layer in the “belly” of Taksim
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N 0
Masterplan 1:2000 Current situation
25
50
100 m
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N 0
Masterplan 1:2000 Project
25
50
100 m
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Section A-A
Section B-B
Section C-C Scale 1:1000
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0
5
15
60 m
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N 0
1
3 A
2
C A
B
Improvement of existing underground square New Istanbul urban center Pre-existing underground areas 71.16 / 73.30 level
60.00 / 62.00 level
Underground plan 1:2000 Project
25
50
100 m
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NEW ISTANBUL URBAN CENTER
1
2
Civic center
Projection room
3
Conference hall
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m
Escalator project
m 0.8
2.1
m
m 1.2
A
B
Axonometry of the underground square redesign Bus stop current situation
Bus stop project
C
2.6
3.9
4.2
4.2
3.6
3.5
3.8
3.8
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NEW ISTANBUL URBAN CENTER VIEWS
Civic center
Conference hall
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BIG LAWN VIEWS
Day view
Night view
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SQUARE VIEWS
Day view
Night view
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Belvedere
Big Lawn
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Forest Hardscape
Nocturnal square
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Squared Park
Fountain
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0
25
50
100 m
a The Nocturnal Square b The Forest Square c The Belvedere d The Big Lawn e The Water Square
b
f The Square Garden
a c
Existing Trees f
New Trees: Pinus nigra, Pinus halepensis New Trees: Cercis siliquastrum
b
d e
b
b