ODAK ISTANBUL

Situated at the intersection of major transportation networks, the project site stands amidst the dense and poorly planned urbanization of the Fikirtepe transformation zone. In response to the air, noise, and light pollution of this chaotic context, the project acts as a manifesto for human-scaled, nature-respectful architecture. By reviving the disappearing green identity of the urban memory, the design aims to create an egalitarian environment that dissolves the hierarchy between producer and consumer, appealing to both local and international scales.

The architectural strategy focuses on preserving the existing topography by “carving” large functional volumes—such as halls and foyers—into the landscape. This approach prevents the building from becoming a monolithic mass. The foyer, illuminated by skylights and strategic openings, serves as a vital meeting axis between the main city square and the neighborhood square.

The design integrates highway-side and neighborhood-side public squares with upper-level green terraces via pedestrian-friendly staircases. Workshops, libraries, and digital art labs are positioned as fragmented masses that gradually densify toward the focal point, balancing monumental impact with human scale. This spatial organization fosters diverse public interactions through a network of passages, courtyards, arcades, and amphitheaters. The reinforced greenery at the periphery infiltrates the center, while green roofs provide a visual continuity for the surrounding high-rise context. Strategically placed commercial units across different levels ensure functional continuity, transforming the site into a sustainable, vibrant cultural destination that breathes life back into the city.