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Istanbul, Turkey

Architects: Lebriz ATAN KARAATLI, Sacit Arda KARAATLI, Pınar KESİM AKTAŞ

Client: İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality

Project team: Bengisu İLKSOY, Selami GÜREL, Recep SEVİNÇ, SLM Engineering

Landscape Architects: Mehmet Cemil AKTAŞ – caps.office

Design team: KAAT Architecture + URBAN, caps.office

Photographer: Orhun ÜLGEN – Orhun Ulgen Works

For decades, Mecidiyekoy Square has been the black hole of the city, exposed to dense traffic, noise, and exhaust fumes, being located under a viaduct. The development of the square is part of IMM’s plan to renovate the area to create a better physical environment nourished with contemporary art. 

Within the scope of the Mecidiyekoy Square Masterplan, an art structure and a bookstore were realized by KAAT to emphasize the cultural regeneration of the square. 

The buildings act as floating canopies that allow them to be perceived uninterruptedly from the outside. 

Although they are exposed to intense vibration under the viaduct in an earthquake zone, large openings and cantilevers have been created by using highly advanced steel engineering and manufacturing. 

The 360-degree glass facade of the building is enriched with pivot glass doors, thus allowing leaks from the square to the building.