Camlica Mosque
type:
competition
date:
2012
partner in charge:
Aras Burak
local architect:
Elif Demir
description:
The design of a mosque has always been a hot topic for discussion in Turkey. The arguments in terms of style are always trapped between the traditional vs. modern choice.
Our interest was to propose only a great space with no tricks of numbers, secret meanings, mystical decision.
The greatest dome that can ever be imagined is the sky. Therefore we did not propopse a new dome, instead: we proposed a window to the sky.
The site was lacking a urban context that can help us direct the building’s design. Instead of seeing our proposal as an urban structure, we were not ashamed to define it as a sculpture + mosque on Camlica Hill of Istanbul.
The semi-open dome is located between the open courtyard and the indoor space for prayers. This semi-open dome frames the sky with five openings. Funeral ceremonies are to take place here.
In plan, the building is divided into four parts, one semi-open dome, one open courtyard, one indoor space for prayers and the last one as a social, secular space for conferences, activities.
These four sections are surrounded by the honeycomb shaped units where hallways, staircases and lifts are also located. This frame also incorporates the classrooms into the design.
Roof has a 100mm deep decorative pool to prevent access to the minaret and the semi-open dome’s sculptural part.
The dome that is facing inwards is an outdoor amphitheatre. Also for tourists, it could’ve been an ideal location to witness the time of praying. We tried to keep this quarter of the building’s accesses and programme seperate from the rest of the building.
Kurbagalidere Masterplan
Olympic Masterplan proposal for Kurbagalidere, the Istanbul 2022 bid.
Zorlu Center
type: Competition date: 2007-2014 partner in charge: Aras Burak, Aris Kozmidis description: Shopping mall, hotel, residential and office building on a highly valued site in Istanbul. Client, Ahmet Nazif Zorlu, a wealthy businessman from Denizli, had a desire to build an iconic building that can become an architectural masterpiece for Istanbul. As a young practice, we are not interested in the value of the building that is calculated by square meters.
Galataport
International port project near the historical Istanbul peninsula, Galata district.
