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ARCHIVE 2023
Istanbul, Turkey
Architects: Bengi Altuğ, Ata Kurt, Gizem Özer, Ecem Özden
Lead Architect: Bilge Altuğ, Mehmet Metin Polat
Associate Architects: Bilge Altuğ
General Contractor: Rozak Construction
Client: Beylikdüzü Municipality
Photographer: Orhan Kolukısa, Yercekim Architectural Photography
The project, which metaphorically mimics the Alevis’ cultural value of togetherness, is located on a 7800 sqm plot on the Kavakli Dere river basin in the Beylikduzu district (Istanbul). Its architects describe it as a "public corridor" for its communal role. It provides a distinctive presence for Alevis in Istanbul yet creates a visible but subtle appearance of its religious program that implements its publicity to bring social unity to the neighborhood.
While guiding the flow of people, the buildings vertically generate a public space between the park and the housing zone by forming a social platform. Introverted (religious) functions are combined with the extroverted (cultural center) ones with harmony on both urban and interior scales.
Materials are used to differentiate functions; natural stone forms the continuity of the tangible elements surrounding the project area with a link to the park, while timber covers the Cemevi area as a private and sacred space while providing intimacy.
