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Taksim Urban Design Competition - stage 1 proposal -

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An oasis is emerging

Imagine a place where an old and unique, but nature-thirsty urban landscape, shaped by thousands of years of human activity, suddenly explodes with lush vegetation, rocks and water elements. Extensive areas, which to this day have served human activity, are becoming dominated by magnificent greenery, which, like a living organism, spreads radially.

Borderlands, often wanted in the contemporary political and social world as uniform and specific, rarely, in the world of nature are defined by one line. It is always a space that gradually changes in order to form stripes of earth in-between. These are meeting points between different concepts, ideas, species and visions. In order to create such a space we decided to surround the Gezi park from all sites with a stripe composed of various squares and paths but with the introduction of nature and new architectural elements, with the Taksim square and the Cumhuriyet AnÄątÄąas as its pivotal points. A space where all people can meet and spend joyfully and creatively their time before peacefully entering the park or with new energies approaching the Istanbul urban environment. The Taksim square becomes the threshold between the city and its most important green space. All together they create a unity of different experiences. One place does not mean one space.

An oasis is emerging. Its transparent, green border is made of trees and low vegetation. Its gates are open squares, all lined with local stone, which invites the household members to enter the quiet thresholds. The heart of the oasis – The Gezi Park is a huge garden with water, lawns and lush coppices, where the city residents tired after a long day of work can relax in the tree shades, in peace and quietness.

The Gezi park, tired of the years of difficult cohabitation with the city, gets a new life. His old trees and lawns are becoming dense and stately again, and his historical drawing is enhanced by new plantings that take place exactly on the original design plan. A new life, different in its appearance, grows on the old trail, bows to tradition by revealing at the same time its own otherness.

This is what this project is about. About creating a borderline that enhances the core and values the outside. We want to create a landscape that merges architecture with nature, native plants with new species, tradition with modernity, the Mediterranean with the Black Sea, Europe with Asia. It enhances what Istanbul always was. A gate on a borderline embracing all the ideas that focus in this particular place - a point of transition.

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Atmopshere The atmosphere we wish to achieve is that of an urban oasis mixed with a local seaside landscape with its lavish greenery, magnificent natural elements and astonishing color. Nature in its various aspects and spatial disposition offers various associations: a Mediterranean archipelago, an oasis, a Persian garden, the Baux-Arts garden project of Prost. All of these elements can offer to the users an uncommonly beautiful natural landscape in the middle of the biggest city in Turkey.

The definition of a space in its character and shape is seen as a fundamental characteristic of a successful public space. Another important requirement of the public space is its connection to the city. The positioning of trees and the pavements extend the main streets of the surrounding urban fabric to transition in a mild way from a streetscape to a green landscape.

Urban integrity and material The urban integrity is achieved by using one tool – the natural landscape - but in alternative ways. This will help to achieve coherence in reinventing vast surface of the given site. The competition area is divided in seven different zones in order to facilitate this idea. The direction of changes of the mentioned zones is taken after a site specific and thorough analysis of the nearest vicinity of each chosen fragment. Coherence and integrity are given by trees, shrubs, perennials, natural stones, water features and new pavilions introduced to each zone in specific composition and proportions. The idea of the core-borderline is highlighted also by the pavement. Focal points of each area are paved with a mosaic of colorful marble plates, and the surrounding, in-between areas are either paved in a monochromatic stone, or as in Gezi Park, are paved with a mineral, permeable material.

Public space The design is not reduced to one public space but a constellation, or to use a more earthly expression – an archipelago of public spaces. With Taksim being the gate and Gezi Park the heart of this archipelago. Greenery and pavement are used to generate different public spaces that share a common identity.

In this way we try to use the heterogeneity of the place as a benefit suggesting also different behaviors in different atmospheres. Some spaces are there to stroll under the trees, others to gather in small groups between lower vegetations and shadow, other are kept free to host mass events and big gatherings.

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Site Plan / Scale 1:1000

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Taksim Square

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Taksim Mosque

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The Republic Monument

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Cumhuriyet Promenade

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Asker Ocagi part of the Gezi Park

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The Taksim Square

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Sheraton Hotel 07

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Metro entrence pavilion

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Metro entrence pavilion

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Trees and lower greenery introduced organically

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The Monument with the closest surrounding restored

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Lower vegetation

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Pavilion - outdoor museum showing the history of the Taksim Square and the Republic monument

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Shaded, green area with water fountain on the wall of Taksim Water Distribution Center

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Market pavilion on Anit Street

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Market internal courtyard

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Green areas with water elements

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Mosque entrance pavilion

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Underground bus stops entrance pavilion

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Promenade paved with a mosaic of marble

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Platform serving as tribune and stairs

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Platform roof - pavilion

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Lower vegetation and trees

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Stairs linking Gezi and Taksim restored

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Entrance plaza paved with a mosaic of marble

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Central lawn with ponds

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Half dome pavilion over water fountain

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Plaza paved with a mosaic of marble

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Outdoor amphitheatre

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Resting area

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Picnic space

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Children garden

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Outdoor games space

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Cafe/ bar pavilion

Asker Ocagi part of the Gezi Park

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Metro lift pavilion

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The Gezi Park

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Shade pavilion

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Cumhuriyet Promenade

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Water mirror

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Central square paved with a mosaic of marble

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Mete Str.

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Plaza paved with a mosaic of marble

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Water mirror

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Pavilion - local cafe

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Metro entrance - lift

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Metro entrance pavilion

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Vegetation implementation

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Multifunctional sport area and outdoor gym

Atatürk Library 41

Raised pedestrian crossing

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Vegetation implementation

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Bus stops

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Raised pedestrian crossing

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Atatürk Cultural Center

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Atatürk Library

Z28S056M Zone division diagram / Scale 1:5000

Programme diagram / Scale 1:5000 14

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01 - The Taksim Square 02 - The Republic Monument 03 - Market Area 04 - Cumhuriyet Promenade 05 - The Gezi Park 06 - Asker Ocagi part of the Gezi Park 07 - Atatürk Library

01 - Central square paved with a mosaic of marble / 02 - Water mirror / 03 - Shade pavilion / 04 - Metro lift pavilion / 05 - Metro entrence pavilion / 06 - Metro entrence pavilion / 07 - The Monument with the closest surrounding restored / 08 - Pavilion - outdoor museum showing the history of the Taksim Square and the Republic monument / 09 - Visitors center / 10 - Shaded, green area with water fountain on the wall of Taksim Water Distribution Center / 11 - Market pavilion on Anit Street / 12 Market internal courtyard / 13 - Green areas with water elements / 14 - Mosque entrance pavilion / 15 - Underground bus stops entrance pavilion / 16 - Cumhuriyet Promenade paved with a mosaic of marble / 17 - Platform serving as tribune and stairs / 18 - Platform roof - pavilion / 19 - Entrance plaza paved with a mosaic of marble / 20 - Central lawn with ponds / 21 - Half dome pavilion over water fountai / 22 - Plaza paved with a mosaic of marble / 23 - Outdoor amphitheatre / 24 - Resting area / 25 - Picnic space / 26 - Children garden / 27 - Outdoor games space / 28 - Cafe/ bar pavilion / 29 - Plaza paved with a mosaic of marble / 30 - Water mirror / 31 - Pavilion - local cafe / 32 - Metro entrance pavilion / 33 - Multifunctional sport area and outdoor gym / 34 - Pedestrian bridge

The competition area is divided into seven zones to implement the renovation strategy in the following way:

park and the promenade to open the park towards this side of the city. Above the platform a pavilion serving as a covering is added in order for people to sit and observe the flux and improve the cconnection of the park with the city.

The Taksim Square - this area is thought as an open, public square that extends from the Republic monument to the Ataturk Cultural Center on its east side, and is complemented with more than 40 trees planted in an organic way in order to enhance the spatial difference between Taksim and Gezi park.

The whole area of the square is paved with a mosaic of different marble plates gathered from all over Turkish quarries. The square disposes of a central water mirror, that fills with water on warm days, and four new pavilions of which three serve as covered entrances to the Taksim metro station, and the fourth one, facing the water, as a bar and a shelter from sun or bad weather.

The Gezi Park - In this area the design strategy is to keep as many trees as possible, refill the original grid of the Prostian plan by planting on the vacant spots new trees but of different species that were planted when the park was created. With this strategy the difference between the old and new plantings is visible to all the users but the space itself resembles the traditional setting.

The central area of the park, on the axis of the Gezi fountain, is cleared and replaced with a big lawn with small ponds. By doing so the entrance of the park becomes, as in the original design, a viewing platform towards the square and the park. On both, west and east sides of the lawn recreational areas are introduced with new functions implemented – resting areas, open amphiteather, picnic space, gazebos, spaces for open air games and children garden. Pavilions of different sizes and shapes are introduced. Each serves a different function – from simple sun shading to a caffe/bar and last but not least – a half dome placed on the axis of the park creates a background for the original fountain and a unique atmosphere in the park. Both entrances to park, from the north, and the south, are paved in colored marble plates in order to strengthen the longitudinal axis of the park.

The Republic monument - this area is the main entrance towards the square and the park. The monument remains untouched, the green elements surrounding it are restored and filled will new plants and the pavement is redone in marble, in its original round form. More trees are planted outside the central area to create a background for the monument to highlight its importance.

The area south of the monument, between the roundabout ant the Istiklal and Siraselviler street are paved in a monochromatic stone and a pavilion is added which serves as a little outdoor museum showing the history of the Taksim Square and the Republic monument.

Asker Ocagi part of the Gezi Park - the vegetation of this smaller part of the Gezi park is improved and restored to its original state. New plants and trees are added as also a new little square, paved in colored marble tiles, is implemented in its central part. Two pavilions are built, one serving as a local café and the other as the covering of the metro entrance. Additionally, in its north part multifunctional urban sport field is proposed as well as outdoor gym elements. The path towards the bridge connecting the Gezi park and the Taksim Square is cleared and enhanced by the newly built pavilion which stands between the bridge and the newly designed little square.

Market Area - the urban organization of the Market area is based on the extension of the city grid – both the Abdulhak Hamit and Muhtar Bay streets, the Turlabasi Boulevard. The focal point of this area is the market – the biggest of all pavilions with an open courtyard, which shapes and functions as a social condenser as retail, gastronomy and leisure will meet in one point. The Market includes the flower stands relocated from the Taksim Water Distribution Center area. As the area of the Market is positioned above the tunnel of the Turlabasi Boulevard the greenery is implemented mainly as shrubs, bushes and rocks typical for the local vegetation.

Ataturk Library - this area is connected to the rest of the project with pedestrian priority raised crossroads. New vegetation is implemented and the traffic between Mete street and Miralay Sefikbay street will is reduced to public transport and cars of local citizens.

Cumhuriyet Promenade - this area, located on the western side of the Gezi park is expanding from the Monument of the Republic and the Recep Pasa Street. A big platform serving as both tribune and stairs is built between the -5-

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Pedestrian area Raised crossroads Bus stops Metro and underground bus stops entrances Public bus lines Public tram line Deliveries access Private car access

Transportation system, accessibility and disabled people. Safety and security Pedestrian and bicycle priority is provided in all competition area allowing only for deliveries access.

The Tak-ı Zafer street from the south side of the Taksim Square is narrowed to two lanes of twoway street. On the crossings with Osmanlı and Dünya Sağlık streets raised pedestrian crossings are introduced to develop better communication with the square and the park. The car passage on the east side of the Taksim Square by the Atataurk Cultural Center is closed for individual cars and only public bus transportation is allowed. Bus stops are moved to the Mete street and located now just on the edge of the Takism Square and Gezi Park. Mete street becomes a no exit road for individual cars with the access from the north side. Visual appearance of the metro and underground bus stops entrances is improved by implementation of new pavillions, which helps with the spatial orientation in the square. Wheelchair ramps are renovated throughout Gezi Park and introduced on the stairway linking the park and the promenade. The stairs located before in the Market area are resolved with the paving surface slopes. Proposed furniture (second stage of the competition) will include solutions for disabled, elderly and children – proper height of the sitting elements, handrails, benches and tables that allow for wheelchair approach.

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Spatial Memory We strongly believe that a public space works as a scenario to human activity, it has to be able to have an identity, therefore to inform about the past but at the same time interpret the contemporary social relationships and habits. The whole area is rich of traces of the past but at the same time is involved in big urban transformations. The buildings themselves therefore are not enough to create space and a defined identity like in the more consolidated parts of the city. Therefore we felt that introducing greenery was the right way to menage this transitions. Sometimes to protect the old from the scale of the new, sometimes to enhance its perception trough a green scenario, other times to remember buildings that disappeared. We believe that trough planting new trees in the grid of Gezi and consolidating its geometric border the park should pop out like a solid volume and remember about the presence of the old Barracks.

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Pavilions and Proposed Function As in an english garden a network of pavilions are going to activate the different corners of the square. The pavilion is an object that introduces a human function in a green landscape but in the same time it gives a special point of view to the landscape. It’s a machine that wants to be seen but its also build to observe the surroundings with a privileged view. The pavilions can host any function as long as the chosen program enjoys a fruitful synergy with the nature and the city around.

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Green system As different studies show Istanbul has a very high potential for biological diversity and native habitat due to its position on the transition point of different climatic regimes between Middle Europe and the Mediterranean regions. Due to a rapid expansion of the city a lot of this biodiversity and natural habitat has been lost. In order to regain some of the lost vegetation we will plant local species that are both geographically but also culturally present in the Istanbul area. Example of the exact species that is used in the project, both for high and low greenery, are shown in the plant palette.

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Material Turkey is the biggest exporter of marble in the world, thus we find it ideal that all the most important areas of the competition should be paved with a mosaic of colorful marble plates. Additionaly, all the in-between areas should be paved also in the same material, but in lighter, more monochromatic colors. The paths in Gezi Park should be paved with a mineral, permeable material.

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Artist intervention / Color palette

Together with an artist we had transpose the lavish natural Mediterranean landscape into large format images and a color palette with which we wish to operate throughout the whole competition area in order to create a coherent image of the overall. This large scale images will be used as decorations of the underground and subway tunnels. All the pavilions have been colored with the colors from the color palette.

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Color palette

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ORGANIZATION CHART for the 2nd stage

Landscape Architect

Architect

Architect

Urban Planner

Local Architect Artist

Writter

Political expert

Local Writer

Historian

Local Historian Local Anthropologist

Sociologist

Local Sociologist

Anthropologist

Local Political expert Local Gastronomy expert

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