Urban Design and Strategy Center
Center is a center following how the city of Istanbul has changed and developed throughout history, especially after the 20th century; and it is a center that will have a say in the future scenarios of the city of Istanbul, by ensuring that the obtained data are used in future city models/proposals. The center conducting research and producing projects in the field of urban design and urban spaces in order to support multidisciplinary approaches to research and practice; It also aims to create "interest" in the field of urban design/urbanism. It is suggested to use Gazanferağa Madrasa, which is located at the periphery of the research center, for educational workshops, events to be organized for the citizens, and for exhibiting of works, etc. As it is known, Gazanferağa; although it was used as an education center in history as it is clear from ''Madrasah'', it has also been used as a museum in the recent past. With this proposal for Gazanferağa (by blending the "madrasah" function with the "museum" function), Gazanferağa will turn it into a place where the "city" phenomenon can be discussed and discussed and products are obtained.
The entrance of the research center is designed as a corridor, which is an extension of the exhibition/museum in the madrasa. While the corridor defines an exhibition space, it is also a spine that unites two buildings that serve different functions.
Since one of the buildings is open to public use, a controlled entrance is not needed and it is designed with direct contact with the exhibition corridor. There is a conference hall For the seminars and conferences to be held in the building. There is also a foyer area, which is in contact with the Water Tower and one of the other important elements in the project area. Also on the upper floors, there are places that the public can use, such as the library and education rooms.
The other building in contact with the exhibition corridor is a defined building with a controlled entrance. So, it belongs to the researchers. The research building is designed as active spaces suitable for information transfer. It is aimed to design a space with intense visual/sound interaction that will allow researchers to meet spontaneously and deliberately. For this purpose, a wide gallery opening has been provided. The corridors overlooking the gallery space will be used both as transition spaces and working spaces; Thus, a circulation, that does not lose direct or indirect contact, continuity will be provided in the building. The upper floors of the building include research units for researchers, while the ground floor is designed as a multi-purpose space. Thus, the ground floor will be both a pleasant entrance and a working place for visiting researchers. In order for the ground floor activities to continue in the open air, there are public stairs that overlook the workshop area and have a landscape arrangement that continues through the openings of the aqueduct from the park.
For the facade design, the harmony of gray-copper-green tones within itself and with the environment is used. While concrete is used naturally, aluminum mesh coverings that can move on the facade have been proposed. Thus, light control will be provided for some spaces, and the facade can be designed more likely bustling. Moreover, the Green facades continue as an extension of the greenery that surrounds the aqueduct in places and is seen as a continuation of the green from the park and the green used in the landscape.
In short, while the concept was transformed into a project, connections were made with the Aqueduct, Water Tower, and Gazanferağa Madrasa located in the vicinity of the project area. The development of the building has been completed taking these elements into consideration. While trying to ensure connection continuity with 3 elements on the building perimeter, openings(galley gaps, corridors, exhibition entrance...) and space organizations that support circulation mobility in the building are designed.
