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The Istanbul Culture and Art Center will include a
Concert Hall, Recital Hall, and Amphitheater; administrative offices; a
musicians' wing, a restaurant, and below-grade parking.
Designed as a modern reflection of a traditional Ottoman kulliye, the complex
organizes the varied program functions in hierarchical order and takes advantage
of the topographical and microclimatic conditions of the site -- acres of
rolling wooded hills on which are sited several historic structures.
In response to its topography, the site has been developed on two levels: a
lower level contains the main ceremonial public entries which lead to the
Concert Hall, the Recital Hall, the restaurant and the Amphitheater; an upper
campus maintains a more private nature with its traditional Islamic garden
surrounded by the existing buildings on the east and south sides, a low-scale
colonnaded building on the west, and the dignitaries' entry to the Concert Hall
to the north.
The geometric expression of the building volumes relates directly to the
functions that occur within. The linear buildings contain offices and repetitive
support areas whereas the pure volumes express the concert and recital functions
within. In all instances, linear building elements form a backdrop against which
the volumetric objects are juxtaposed. The linear building parallel to the
access road presents the Culture and Arts Center's public face. Its placement on
the site serves a dual purpose: it acts as a wall similar to the walls
surrounding the monumental Ottoman complexes, both defining the edge of the site
and serving as a visual and acoustical barrier protecting the Center from the
noise and distractions generated by the access road traffic.
The Concert Hall, the main focus of the Culture and Art Center, dominates the
site as a rectangular volume topped by a vaulted roof reminiscent of the
imperial mosques of the Istanbul skyline. As seen from the exterior, the Concert
Hall building is a pure rectangular structure which sets back to reveal a second
volume expressive of the Concert Hall.
The Concert Hall's exterior is clad on three sides with monochromatic
cut-stone panels locally quarried in Turkey. Attached to the north side of the
building is a glass enclosure containing a cascading stair. Conceptually the
stair acts as a transition element between the linear building and the Concert
Hall. The curvilinear roof form of glass element suggests the movement
associated with the stair and alludes to the rolling hills surrounding the site.
The principal facade of the Concert Hall, designed as a traditional portico,
reveals the main foyer spaces beyond. In response to its western orientation,
richly textured onyx panels and alternating strips of clear glass are set into
frames between the tall piers forming the portico wall. The onyx acts as a
translucent material to filter the strong light entering the foyer space and
eliminate glare. At night is also when the orchestra foyer is illuminated and
the entire building facade will glow with a warm light.
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