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
TAKSIM SQUARE
DIALOG15
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
TAKSIM SQUARE
DIALOG15
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
TAKSIM SQUARE
DIALOG15
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
TAKSIM SQUARE
Urban Design Competition
DIALOG15
green system
illumination
TAKSIM SQUARE
DIALOG15
Urban Design Competition
public transportation system
elevator
elevator
main entrance ramp
escalator
elevator elevator escalator
ramp
barrier-free accessibility
TAKSIM SQUARE
Urban Design Competition
DIALOG15
terrace view to south
night view
TAKSIM SQUARE
DIALOG15
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
DIALOG15
Urban Design Competition
art & craft patio
R WO
KS
HO
P
TA IL
OR
PA T IO
ST
UD
IO
art & craft stores
TAKSIM SQUARE
Urban Design Competition
DIALOG15
view to Taksim Republic Monument
courtyard view
TAKSIM SQUARE
DIALOG15
Urban Design Competition
structural and urban concept
container dialog
TAKSIM SQUARE
Urban Design Competition
DIALOG15
pavillon view to Gezi Park
detail pavillon and container view
TAKSIM SQUARE
DIALOG15
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