58_E5G8BN2M

TAKSIM SQUARE COMPETITION 1ST STAGE SUBMISSION ANALYTIC WORK

a- what is a public space? b- space syntax - accesibility c- environmental analysis

DESIGN PROPOSAL E5G8BN2M

RESEARCH & ANALYTIC WORK Taksim square is one of the most important urban square typologies in its region through its urban presence , spatial organization, history, arts and culture. For this competition we aimed to highlight the importnance of research and therefore analysis in the design process. We have initiated various analysis methods approaching the site from only a few of the many aspects which should be considered before initiating and design activities. We believe that this is the way all publicly significant projects should be approached with the majority of time invested in the analytical work.

We start with our literature review and spatial analysis work on local and global public space precedents. We analyze Taksim Square through the same urban parameters.

We move on to space syntax studies where we run simulations indicating the accessibility of the site through its topographical structure, urban fabric layout and the facilities surrounding the square. approach the site from and environmental point of view. We finally approach the site through environmental analysis parameters where we run air flow/ wind simulations along with solar radiation simulations to see the existing environmental conditions. Our collection of research findings will lead us to the next stage where we start the design process.

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WHAT IS A PUBLIC SPACE? In both Turkish and English, public space means a place that makes it possible to encounter, publicly and coincidental, in terms of geographical meaning. Pursuant to this definition, public spaces are not just squares, streets and parks, which are the heritage of the European city, but also the Bazaars and Külliye’s of the Ottoman city. Today, a shopping mall, metro stop or ferry are also places that are open for public use, socialising and coincidental meeting. Since Taksim Square contains all three elements of a public space, street ,square and public park, our initial analysis goes through precedents in close proximity and also around the world.

Market

Inherently a square is an enclosed area with physical or visual borders. In other words, a square is a void within the urban fabric of a city. An urban square is an idea that people can experience in different contexts and through different behavioural patterns. Murat Güvenç stated that, ‘A square acquires new meaning in reference to its context. As some of its aspects become indistinct, some other aspects gain significance.’ (“The Square in Photographs”, 2014).

Square

Ferry

Train

Külliye

Tram

Bus Bazaar

PUBLIC SQUARE Dam Square, Amsterdam

Leicester Square, London

MEASURE & SCALE

URBAN TEXTURE

TOP VIEW

Piazza del Campo, Siena

a a

b

b

b

a a

b

a: 80 m b: 140 m

a: 70 m b: 60 m

a: 50 m b: 40 m

a: 65 m b: 70 m

Total 8.850 m2

Total 4.450 m2

Total 2.800 m2

Total 4.500 m2

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Union Square, NYC

Taksim Square, Istanbul

MEASURE & SCALE

URBAN TEXTURE

TOP VIEW

Parisier Platz, Berlin

a

a b a

b a: 110 m b: 120 m

a: 220 m b: 100 m

Total 13.200 m2

Total 21.000 m2

12.000 m2

r

b a: 160 m b: 320 m 12.000 m2

Park 41.200 m2 Total 85.000 m2

r: 60 m

TAKSIM SQUARE SYSTEM 1_Tarlabaşı Side 90m x 130m 2_Republic Monument 60m x 60m 3_Taksim Square 9-60m x 140m

4_Cumhuriyet Street 40m x 200m 5_Gezi Park 160m x 320m Taksim Square, Gezi Park & Akm

Void System

Street Formation 3

MEASURE & SCALE_ ISTANBUL’S SQUARES

1_Hipodrom 350m x 40m

Sultanahmet Square, Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque

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5_Hagia Sophia 150m x 40m 4_Sultanahmet Square 120m x 120m 3_Blue Mosque Side 80m x 100m 2_Blue Mosque 180m x 180m

Void System

Deformation Of Grid

Street Formation

Section Diagram

Sultanahmet Square

1_Süleymaniye Mosque 140m x 220m 2_İstanbul University 70m x 170m 3_İstanbul University 200m x 225m 4_Beyazıt Square 210m x 170m

Süleymaniye Mosque, İstanbul University and Beyazıt Mosque

Void System

Deformation Of Grid

Street Formation

Section Diagram

Süleymaniye & Beyazıt Squares 1_Eminönü Square 90m x 120m

2_Entrances 50m x 50m 3_Spice Market Courtyard 75m x 75m

Eminönü Square

Void System

Street Formation

Deformation of Grid

Eminönü Square

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STREET

Uzunçarşı Street

Istiklal Street

Bağdat Avenue

Taksim Square is different from all other squares in terms of meaning, dimensions and facilities. It has a park, commercial street and public areas. In this analysis we have sort to understand the idea of a public square in different contexts within it’s dimensions. By comparing the measure and scale of other important squares in the world we can understand the differences in Taksim.

Istanbul’s “meydan” are different from the piazza of Western terminology. The meydan is basically a major junction point that connects the other axes. Unlike the piazza the habit is not to stop but to continue on other axes. It is these opposing concepts that we have addressed in this project.

Squares The squares which we have focused our analysis are evaluted by their size and accesibility. Their accesibility criterias are mostly divided into two categories which are inland squares and a junction squares. Inland square tend to be more secluded “courtyard” spaces which are meant to encourage people to “STAY” whereas junction square encourage movement.

We have come to realize that Taksim square includes both characteristics in its nature where it serves as one of the biggest junctions connecting major neighbourhoods in Istanbul. At the same time Gezi Park and the square neihgbouring the park is designed to function as a public space which encourages spatial activities.

Historical Structures in İstaklal

Street Initially, Istanbul’s streets were narrow and ended with culde-sacs in the residential areas, however, as time passed, the Turkish city was reorganised and rebuilt to meet the expanding traffic that had filled the streets and this resulted in a new transformation of the road and railway networks.

Expropriation enabled the construction of wider streets, providing enough space for a normal street network. The largest street to be constructed was 15m wide and normal streets were between 9-12m in width. The roads were then planted with trees and foot paths were constructed. Taksim square serving as a junction not only branches out Istiklal Street, it contains its own street like typologies within.

HISTORICAL TRANSFORMATION 1920’s

1960’s

Taksim Casino

2000’s Taksim Casino

Intercontinel Hotel

Atatürk Library

Inönü Gezi Park Gallery and Shops

Gezi Blocs Monument of the Republic Maksem

Monument of the Republic Maksem

1940’s

Taksim Mosque

Gezi Blocs

Monument of the Republic Atatürk Cultural Centre

1980’s

Maksem The Marmara Hotel

2020

Atatürk Cultural Centre

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URBAN ANALYSIS

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Landmarks

Vehicular Road Bus Stop

Street Formation

Metro Line

Metro Station

Tram Line Tram Stop

Finicular Line Finicular Station

Urban Transportation System

Cross Section through Gezi Parki and Cumhuriyet caddesi

Green spaces

Registered

New build

Lower kot

Adjacent site boundary

Park Walls

Elevation boundary

Higher kot

Registered Buildings

Accessibility challenges of Gezi park 6

SPACE SYNTAX

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An isovist describes the part of space that can be seen from a single vantage point(Benedikt, 1979)These specific space syntax analysis studies aim to investigate how spaces affect subjective spatial experience according to the determined vantage point. We can understand the experience of asubjective in a limited space. Through this data, we can manipulate the experience ofthe subjective in the design process.

2d Isovit Single Point Analysis is a static analysis that shows the vision angle based on aspecific point in the space.

2d Isovit Path describes an experience through the subjectivEs journey.

2d Isovist Field Analysis gradates the subjective territory according to visual accessibility.

Vantage Point 1

Vantage Point 2

Vantage Point 3

The following Spatial Accessibility Analysis measures spatial accessibility using the Reach, Gravity, and Straightness metrics. For Taksim square, it is designated the functions of the buildings, bus stops, subway stops, and street paths. According to the circulation of the population, functions are gradated by gravity. Then, the origin and destination points are determined. The origins are residential buildings and the destinations are the stops, the workplaces, and tourist facilities. By given data, the analysis shows the spatial gravity in the specific zone.

The gravity analysis data helps to understand the distribution of the population and to direct and distribute the circulation of the population by changing the spatial design of the specific zone.

Cultural & Touristic

Mixed Used

Residential

Function Analysis

Low

High

Density Analysis

Low

High

Density Analysis

Pedestrian Flow

Pedestrian Flow Analysis

Low

High

Accessibility Analysis

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ENERGY ANALYSIS

ANNUAL January-December

SUMMER June-September

E5G8BN2M WINTER December-March

The prevailing wind in Taksim is from the north east in the summer period whereas in winter period the wind direction is from the north. Wind speed ranges from 6.0 to 10.0 m/s as shown in the wind rose diagrams. It is crucial to understand the nature of wind direction and its characteristics on the site to keep the outdoor comfort level in balance. To carry out the investigation of how the wind affects the square, further studies were conducted, by running simulations using the Autodesk CFD software. The prevailing winds in Taksim are created from the North-East through the whole year. By creating a wind rose diagram of Taksim, it could be seen that the average wind velocity is 5m/s.

WIND ROSE

AIR FLOW STUDIES

As the simulation was run, it was understood that the settlement of the building mass creates turbulence. Tall buildings like the Marmara hotel could especially be seen as a windshield element. The trees in Gezi Parki help to decrease the wind speed in the square to 1-1.5 m/s. However, the Intercontinental Hotel creates turbulence.Through these airflow studies around the site we have concluded that we need to be aware of the wind turbulence caused by the tall buildings around the site such as the Marmara and Intercontinental Hotel and control this turbulence to achieve pedestrian comfort. In addition to this we need to design free standing structures which will manipulate the airflow to provide cool air distribution around the site in summer.

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ENERGY ANALYSIS

ANNUAL January-December

SUMMER June-September

E5G8BN2M WINTER December-March

As a result of the environmental analysis studies we have designed a shading element to place on specific locations around the site to achieve pedestrian comfort. These shading elements have been designed taking into account the prevailing wind direction and sun angles. The main design idea is to produce a shading element on the main axis of the prevailing wind without any obstacle. Also, both horizontal and vertical panels were used in the shading element to protect against the horizontal sun angle coming from the East and West directions and the vertical sun angle coming from the South. Solar panels are placed on top of the panels to provide the energy for lights used at night. There is potential to use the space left in the main body of the shading element structure as a rainwater collecting space.

RADIATION DOME

SHADING ELEMENT DESIGN

SUN PATH

The Solar radiation level is high, with mean global radiation fluctuating between 100-400 W/ m2 during winter and 400-800 W/m2 during summer. During summer, the irradiance is high for the East and West orientations. South facing surfaces receive the highest annual amount of incident radiation. Horizontal surfaces receive the largest amount of solar radiation during summer. Due to the high levels of radiation there is great need for solar protection and careful orientation for the summer months. In the winter it is the South orientation that receives the highest values of irradiance. Urban morphology affects the amount of solar radiation that is absorbed and reflected, due to obstructions and multiple reflections. Generally, from the solar radiation analysis, it can be understood that because of the building stock most of the public open spaces are receiving high levels of incident solar radiation. Solar access has to be controlled in the local Taksim climate, especially in the summer period. Therefore, the square can be shaded during the day to limit solar radiation.

SOLAR RADIATION

SOLAR STUDIES

Axis curves are derived from the local sun & wind direction

Structure is established using the sun & wind direction axis curves

Pattern established for PV Panel placements

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DESIGN APPROACH

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As mentioned above, Taksim Square is different from all other squares in terms of meaning, dimensions and facilities. It has a park, commercial street and public areas. In our approach our main goal is the sustainability of this urban development project. We have strived to minimize the construction and carbon emission effect of the project by keeping the existing situation and furniture wherever we can. We have aimed to improve the public space whilst employing a minimal design proposal. After we completed extensive analysis of the existing site to identify the current physical problems and focus primarily on solving and improving those problems. Our further analysis has also identified social and urban design problems to which we will also offer solutions.

Following our previous precedent study we have started our design process by extending the 20x20 grid we have found in the urban fabric of the site. We determined the circulation axises dominating the site which serves as a transportation junction due to its central location. This junction nature of the square gives us the opportunity to determine the main axis of accessibility to preserve. As a result of the previous space syntax analysis we have concluded that the Gezi park’s raised topography challenges the visual connection of this park to its surroundings. Therefore we have decided to lower the entrances and the center of the park to the same elevation as the surrounding spaces in order to encourage the usage of park. The axises determine the pedestrian circulation, meeting points and entrance points to the park encouraging pedestrians to not just walk through but also stay and participate in the proposed activities.

Current Situation

Main Axis

Grid Lines

Main Axes

Urban Grid System

Contour Lines

Making Peak Points

Preserved Green Spaces Water Elements

Relocated Green Spaces

Preserved Trees

Relocated

Green Space Distribution

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SITE PLAN

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Circulation • The Taksim square serves several purposes for various pedestrians visiting the park.

• People walking through the square to get to the facilities surrounding the site • People walking through the square to get to the neighbouring areas • People walking through the square to get to metro entrances • People getting to and staying in the park • People getting to and staying in the various squares • People spending time around the activities launch around the square

Meeting Points • People cycling through the square • Therefore there is a necessity to layer these purposes on top of each other in order to encourage the optimum use of the square. The circulation strategy is dominated by the cycling paths and bicycle parks around the site.

Other layers include, fast walk through axises to Elmadag, Siraselviler, AKM and Ataturk Library. And other paths are longer paths throughout the site.

N

Sustainability ollowing our previous environmental analysis we have concluded that the overallthe square requires shading for pedestrian comfort. The main goal for the continuation ofThe project is to establish the best of the climatic conditions and support an attractive microclimate.

Introduce elements to provide shelter and shade where needed. Plan and consider for ‘24-7-365’ city life.

Promote activity all day and all year round. Consider the inherent aspects of climate, change of season and day. In addition to improving the climatic conditions we have throughout our design, we supported the preservation of the existing elements. Due to its significant meaning in public memory we have preserved the square main stairs and have turned it into stage for live performances facing the park. We have preserved the existing walls surrounding the stairs to keep its exhibitive existence which encouraged protest, art exhibitions etc. The stairs are now the gate to the park accessible from all sides with a continuous flux of people Please review our following design drawings and images for our design proposal including the preserved and proposed design elements for Taksim square.

Site Plan_ Scale 1:1000

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DESIGN APPROACH

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Green System

Preserved Areas

Preserved Trees

Preserved & Relocated Trees

Tree Diagram

Vehicle Flow

Bike Road

Pedestrian

Traffic Flow

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CUMHURÄ°YET STREET

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C

B

A

C

B

A Plan_ Scale 1:750

Section A-A_ Scale 1:500

Section B-B_ Scale 1:500

Section C-C_ Scale 1:500

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TAKSÄ°M SQUARE

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D

Section D-D_ Scale 1:500

D

Section D-D_ Scale 1:500

Plan_ Scale 1:1000

Entrance to the Park

Illustration from the Square

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GEZİ PARK

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Park Plan_ Scale 1:1000

Children’s Recreation Area

Illustration from the Park

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ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO

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We see this design proposal not as a final design but as a section-cut through our more extensive further design process. In the next stage of the design process we will evaluate the further design elements in detail with the proposed Stage 2 design team below;

TEAM ORGANIZATION SCHEME

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