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TAKSIM URBAN DESIGN BETWEEN MEMORY, PERMANENT AND (CON)TEMPORARY

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TOO BIG FOR A SQUARE TOO SMALL FOR A PARK

THE SQUARE

THE PARK

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BETTER SQUARE BETTER PARK

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SQUARE PARK

New Taksim Square

Multipurpose Platform, Public Pool

Retractable stage over water element

Existing Stairs of Gezi Park

Maksem & Rest stop in front

Multipurpose Platform, Public Stage

Canopy for New Snack Stop

Canopy for Flower Market

Taksim Museum

Metro Access, Museum and Gallery Entrances from Cumhuriyet Boulevard

New Taksim Square Urban Green Benches Freedom of Expression Stop & Graffiti Wall of Gezi Park

Free Walkways for pedestrians/ bicycles

Urban Panorama Terrace & Pedestrian Bridge Connecting Ataturk Library to Gezi Park

Urban Furniture

Playgrounds & Skate Park

Retractable Performance Infrastructure: Motion in architecture Extending the greenery and adding to the softscape, a green stair-amphi will be annexed to the existing set of stairs, facing the Square; the interpretation is a provision for the performance setting designed amidst the square.

Between AKM and the Square, the reflection pool is designed to alternate with a retractable platform to serve as an open air public stage.

Accessibility of urban public spaces absolutely determines the living conditions for people. Technology provides new opportunities.

21st century knowledge of mechanics, robotics and electrical systems allow for the new opportunities and opening up the unique structure. In terms of “retractable city�, located amidst the square, the performance platform contributes to the possibility of constructing alternative spatiality with efficient infrastructure that can be rationally managed and operated without harming the environment, urban services and resources.

In terms of spatiality, both human and urban level, maximizing the urban space whilst gaining an open air facility for shows, concerts, theaters, exhibitions and various performances. Endeavoring to find urban forms that can accommodate present day ways of life and at the same time maintain the qualities of the customary urban patterns, the platform will establish urban relationships within the urban tissue, without impeding regular flow. Awarding the freedom to make and re-make and without occupying the plot permanently, the performance stage will set a pioneer sample during pandemic(s), communicating the citizens at outdoors.

Taksim Square Section

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TAKSIM MUSEUM

Taksim Museum, view from Gezi Park

Taksim Museum entrance from the square

Taksim Museum entrance from Gezi Park

MUSEUM OF TAKSIM is planned as a sunken structure above which a reflection pool is symmetrizing the trees, the sky and the people, on the axis of the marble stairs towards the Square with upper level access , also with an alternative entrance next to Metro’s, on Cumhuriyet Street.

Through the transparent base of the reflection pool, its atrium receives daylight as well as the shade and the moves of the leaves of trees of Gezi Park.

The crucial threshold is when the encounter of Art goes beyond the showcases in the very physical space; formally separated from the rest of the life in the Park. and beyond. On the contrary The Encounter with Art ought to be a dynamic process not a static geometrical space with dropped down structures. The Encounter with Art and Times ought to transcends its own walls and its own roof, as it is leasable also in the architectural design: The distinctive organic lines of the state-ofthe-art design integrates the building in the Park, without overwhelming any other structure.

Museum’s Main Gallery Space Ground Floor Plan

Museum connection to the Metro line

Museum Longitudanal Section

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CUMHURIYET STREET GREEN BOULVARD

View from Cumhuriyet Street; Green Boulevard Entrances from the corner of Taksim Square

Tourist Info, Souvenir Shops & Cafe on Cumhuriyet Street

View from Cumhuriyet Street; Green Boulevard

Flower Market

BUFFER ZONE Benefiting level difference (again) on the Cumhuriyet Street which will be green boulevard by afforestation, the edge of the park is allocated for the entrance of the Museum (alternative to park entrance) next to an art gallery that also connects to the metro access as well as small shops and kiosks under a roof system extending from the park.

While globalism processes overwhelm the true meaning and cultural values of urban spaces in every city, Taksim Square need to welcome community engagement and social interactions allowing for encounters of diversities, establishing the ‘urban as urgent utopia’, as Lefebvre voices.

Streets, squares and parks are not the only public spaces but public life takes place also in the markets, bus stops, metro stations and all kinds of public events, all of which offering varying degrees of interaction that may also be “smallscale meetings” in these everyday places, which can generate a wide range of economic and social transactions.

As an initial step, Taksim Square need to wriggle out its uncanny void that is, most of the time, filled with passersby with no specific direction. Everyday interaction may smooth out differences; the physical meeting spaces of cultural, political, economic, social and individual means will born out of the democratic and welcoming approach, the space will evolve to with diversification as a result of flexible/adjustable program.

Social interaction, encoded into ‘different daily routines and practices’ define the notion and the role of the urban space. Variations in the physical manifestation generate variety in movement and people, thus social meaning, as well.

Museum Longitudinal Section

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CONNECTING VALUES

View from Pedestrian Bridge Connecting Ataturk Library to Gezi Park

Taksim Museum, View from Mete Street

View from Ataturk Library

Taksim Square; Maksem and Canopy for the new snack market

A true urban public place is “nearby” for everyone. Despite changes and interventions over decades, Taksim is the hearth of İstanbul; bounded by thoroughfares and urban facilities on all sides, the PARK-SQUARE surely communicates “publicness”, maintaining its strong identity.

The presence of Cultural Center and monuments also reinforces its public character. Enhanced trees, grass, walkways and seating element being the basics, the park is efficient and simple in principle and not overdesigned as the central city park must fundamentally provide safety and a clean, well maintained environment that satisfy the needs of a broad range of users, especially for the people who needed space the most!

Taksim described in the 17th and 18th centuries as a region comprised of a water distribution center, backing the Maksem ,the seating units beneath the trees before İstiklal will also serve as a waiting, meeting and relaxing zone for the community of new mosque who come to pray.

Located at the corner, the existing florists will be sheltered under a light structure.

Border of Aya Triada Church Across Maksem, forming the other corner of İstiklal, jazzed up with Istanbul’s famous snack shops, will gather these snack-stops under a cantilever, also, the corner terrace space will be gained for a cup of coffee, again.

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