56_dialog15

TAKSIM SQUARE

Urban Design Competition

DIALOG15

overview

TAKSIM SQUARE

DIALOG15

Urban Design Competition

CURRENT SITUATION Their heterogeneity characterizes the roadside building structures around Taksim Square and the Gezi Park area.

Functions, height developments, as well as the designs of the surrounding buildings are vastly different. In connection with the size of the Taksim Square, a space-formation or respectively a space-recognition is hardly perceptible amidst the existing structures. At the same time, the Gezi Park area is distinguishable because of its elevation and its tree density, the blurring of the park- with the city-level glosses over the distinct spatial position of the park, especially its distinction between the Taksim Square.

No spatial development due to missing space edges

CONCEPT / DESIGN

Measures for the Gezi Park area A wall will accentuate the borders of the Gezi Park area. This measure emphasizes the Gezi Park as a volume and creates spatial edges. The park becomes a space-creating and space-structuring capacity which stands out from its environment. The possibility to walk around the entire park strengthens the appearance of the park as a volume. The wall is open towards Taksim Square. Through tree-lined, graduating terraces, the park opens itself towards Taksim Square and continues with green corridors across the Square. Thereby the park expands itself to Tak-i Zafer Street and concludes with three rows of trees.

Measures in front of the Atatürk Cultural Center Still under construction, the Atatürk Cultural Center is unfortunately spatially separated from the Taksim Square. In such a situation, it is hard to imagine that symbiosis between this new important building and Taksim Square can emerge. Therefore it is of remarkable importance to extend the surface cover of the Taksim place at ground level towards the building. An additional extension towards the north along the northern wall of the Gezi Park area allows the complex of buildings to have its northern entrance connected with the parking area and the Taksim Square. Consequently, Mete Street becomes equalized. It is now a traffic-calmed area, which can just be accessed by cabs and busses; it is closed for private traffic. The area in front of the Atatürk Kültür Merkezi is additionally highlighted through an ellipsoidal water basin.

step 1 Spatial development due to the new space edges of the park

Measures Cumhuriyet Street For further scale building, a green corridor develops along Cumhuriyet Street with a distance of seven meters along with the buildings. It offers rooms for permanent or temporarily installed containers or pavilions.

Crossing the Taksim square from east to west, three “areas of dialog” emerge. The cultural area of dialog with the Atatürk Cultural Center, the environmental area of dialog with the extension of the Gezi Park onto the Taksim Square and the historic area of dialog with the Atatürk memorial and Maksen.

IN DETAIL Gezi Park

and reaction

rest area lighting

green roof

lighting

CAFÉ

step 2 Forming the volume / by action

Courtyard development: Small courtyards are integrated into the north and western side of the wall and the newly emerged volume of the park. Around these spaces, art and craftwork businesses can establish their workshops and galleries to sell and exhibit their goods. The total usable area of 2.700m2, separated in parcels of 50m2 to 350m2, contributes hand in hand with the courtyards to vitalize the margins of the park at the former Cumhuriyet Street. In this way, art and craft can be experienced and become tangible in an urban setting.

lighting

courtyard store Gezi Park

step 3 forming the volume / by passes and development

section between Gezi Park and cumhuriyet street

traffic calmed area

patio

art and craft stores

lighting

row of trees

water basin

lighting

drink and food area

cumhuriyet street

store/shop/bank

existing buildings

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Urban Design Competition

Development: The existing entrances to the Gezi Park remain in their positions. One exemption is the main staircase in the southern area. Greened terraces will replace it. Additionally to the graduating terraces, two spacious staircases complement the south side. They frame and underline the parks opening towards the Taksim Square. Another addition is a wide staircase on the northern side of the park. The centred stair offers a connection to the parking lot northward of the Gezi Park.

At the southern side of the park, a ramp will be integrated into the graduating terraces to ensure barrier-free access.

The elevator system of the metro-station at the south-west corner of the park will be expanded to connect the park as well. In the northern area, two escalators and elevators will complement the existing development.

Greenery and Water: In its appearance, the park divides itself in its three-sided enclosure (east, west, north) and a middle section. The three-sided enclosure constitutes the frame for the middle part which expands onto Taksim Square.

The pathways within the embraced part of the park proceed orthogonally. Small spaces located at the margins of the park are accessible through paths perpendicular to the enclosing path. The surrounding trails are covered in natural stone, for example, cobblestones. The middle section of the park preludes in a plaza with a water basin. Eventually, the section extends itself with paths swivelling across towards and onto the Taksim Square.

A water-bound cover is intended for the pathways in the middle section. Following the directional opening towards the Taksim square, smaller water basins follow the larger one on the plaza. Each smaller water basin parallels the pathways. In between the crossways of the middle section, elliptical spaces are loosely positioned as spaces for recreation and play.

In the area of the Taksim Square, the park is mirrored in green corridors and finds an end in a triple row of trees at the Tak-i Zafer street.

Installation area for pavilions and containers (Cumhuriyet Street) The corridor along the Cumhuriyet streets comprises greenery and paving. The paved areas form corridors in themselves and can be used to position temporary or permanent containers or pavilions. Small one- or two-story cafĂŠs with patios, bistros and snack bars constitute this food and drink area. During festivals, events and exhibitions, the corridors offer additional space.

Every paved area has a connection to the technical building systems (gas, water, sewage, electricity, telecommunications) and consequentially depicts the smallest unit possible. A block with a coved light is planned at the front side of the paved area. At the same time, does the block provide seating and an electrical outlet for outside activities. If necessary, it is possible to connect pavilions and containers to constitute larger units.

TrafďŹ c Even though the projected area is large enough for a bus terminal, is it recommended to relocate it further outside.

This measure leads to a vast reduction of inner-city traffic around Taksim Square. Consequentially the bus traffic, as well as the feeder-traffic for the bus passengers, are omitted. An even more significant amount of traffic can be reduced that way. Another measure is to declare Mete Street and the overground part of Cumhuriyet Street as trafficcalmed areas. They are only accessible for delivery traffic, residents and public transportation.

Safety and Illumination step 4 Forming courtyards by "taking place" of the functions in the Gezipark

Seeing and being able to be seen determines the feeling of security from the evening hours in parks on squares or sidewalks. The task of light is not only to ensure a sufficient and uniform level of lighting, but also to accentuate locations, emphasize or strengthen the spatial situation and thus also provide orientation.

The existing lighting (high mast luminaires) must be viewed from the point of view of uniform illumination and is retained.

The design includes additions in the form of accent lighting. Different lights are used to emphasize the spatial situations created in the design.

Gezi-Park The illumination reflects the structural partitioning into a three-sided enclosure and a middle section extending onto the Taksim Square. The outer circumference is accompanied by ground-level lights, which extend into the vertical to accentuate the park entrances.

Starting at the Taksim Square, the middle section is illuminated by low-rising lights, which are covered in stone from three sides. Because of their stone cover, the lights offer seating at the Taksim Square and the park. Through their positioning, they are highlighting the opening of the Gezipark onto Taksim Square. Coved lights at the graduating terraces provide additional illumination. Moreover do lighting elements, for example, at trees, accentuate the middle section of the park.

step 5 Supplementing additional elements inside and outside the Gezipark

Cumhuriyet Street

Pavilions and courtyards The pavilions appear on the one hand with their own interior lighting, and there is also a light cove in a backsplash on the top of the footprint for the pavilions or containers. Each footprint is addressed by its own light.

The courtyards are emphasized by lined-up lights that develop from outside to inside.

Gezi-Park

Mete-Street

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Urban Design Competition

Ist ikl al

Taksim Mosque

t ee str

Maksem

Taksim Republic Monument

Gezi Park

AtatĂźrk Cultural Center (AKM)

influencing areas

green spread

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Urban Design Competition

taksim square "dialog with history"

taksim square "dialog with nature"

taksim square "dialog with culture"

taksim square themes

relaxing/rest zone art/craft zone drink/food zone history zone culture zone planned ground use

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green system

illumination

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Urban Design Competition

public transportation system

elevator

elevator

main entrance ramp

escalator

elevator elevator escalator

ramp

barrier-free accessibility

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Urban Design Competition

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terrace view to south

night view

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Urban Design Competition

traffic calmed area

traffic calmed area

terrace terrace

bistro cafĂŠ

patio

patio

patio

bistro

drink and food area lighting

lighting

drink and food area

lighting

benches

lighting benches

water basin

water basin

lighting

lighting

lighting

lighting

concrete stones

courtyard

green roof

courtyard

green roof

entrance

entrance

art and craft stores

steps concrete stones

entrance

art and craft stores

rest area

cobble stones

rest area

rest area

concrete stones

cobble stones

cobble stones

wat ace surf und erbo

detail site plan 1:250

TAKSIM SQUARE

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Urban Design Competition

art & craft patio

R WO

KS

HO

P

TA IL

OR

PA T IO

ST

UD

IO

art & craft stores

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Urban Design Competition

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view to Taksim Republic Monument

courtyard view

TAKSIM SQUARE

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Urban Design Competition

structural and urban concept

container dialog

TAKSIM SQUARE

Urban Design Competition

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pavillon view to Gezi Park

detail pavillon and container view

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Urban Design Competition

wat ace surf und erbo

playground gezi park wooden planks

re st are a

fountain sculpture

wooden planks sitting by the water

a are st re

water basin

relaxing zones

e

cobble stones

rest area

wat erb oun ds urfa c

e und surfac waterbo

water basin

recreation area

detail site plan 1:250

TAKSIM SQUARE

Urban Design Competition

DIALOG15

overview

inner Gezi Park view

DIALOG15

Urban Design Competition French Cultural Center

m et ro n t io sta

taxi

Taksim Mosque

bu p to ss c ffi tra

st al ikl ist

rest area

ed

ree

lm ca

Maksem

ea ar

t patio

rest area

benches

drink and food area

rest area

benches small restaurants

m et

rest area

c ffi tra

ed ea ar

traffic calmed area

drink and food area

multifunctional zone

traffic calmed area

patio patio

patio

small restaurants

benches

benches

drink and food area

water basin

water basin

ee s tr

courtyard

ler lvi courtyard

patio

patio

patio

café

bistro benches

drink and food area

rest area benches

drink and food area

water basin

water basin

art and craft stores

courtyard

e as

art and craft stores

café bistro

water basin

art and craft stores

courtyard

sir

art and craft stores

metro entrance

patio

bistro

café

art and craft stores exibition

events, festivals, exibitions etc.

courtyard

Taksim Republic Monument

n t io sta

lm ca

ro

taksim square "dialog with history"

t

elevators metro entrance

m

courtyard rest area

rest area

rest area

oe etr

ntr

c an

e

rest area

rest area

escalator

water basin water basin

water basin

water basin eps seating st

relaxing zones

e le water basin

playground recreation area

e le

ta re a

ps g ste

ramp

gezi park

seatin

benches

bus/ taxi drop off zone

benches

playground

art and craft stores

ta re a

a re ta

ramp

ramp

taksim square "dialog with culture"

gezi park

recreation area

recreation area

relaxing zones

re s

s re

taksim square "dialog with nature"

playground

tor va

cour

tyard

re s

seatin

g ste

ps

gezi park

ramp

with fountain

s re

a re ta

va to r co ur

ty

art and craft stores

ar d

recreation area

escalator

Gezi Park seating edges

rest area rest area rest area

rest area

courtyard

rest area

exibition

tak-i zafer street

Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church

tak-i zafer stre et

TAKSIM SQUARE

water basin

kiosk/café

art and craft stores

seating edges

bus stop

drop off zone one way

traffic calmed area

one way

bus stop one way

Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM)

site plan 1:1000

TAKSIM SQUARE

DIALOG15

Urban Design Competition

organization chart: stage 2

urban planner

team

Taksim Urban Design Competition

architects Concept and Design team

landscapes architects

team

D I A L O G 15