DIVAN Kurucesme / Istanbul / Turkey

DIVAN Kurucesme / Istanbul

Divan Kurucesme is located in the most popular shoreline of Istanbul with the most impressive Bosphorus view. The overall silhouette, its harmony with its surrounding and nature of the Project designed in Kurucesme, one of the most important and historical neighborhoods of Istanbul have been taken as its essential features. In the restoration project prepared within this scope, existing historical walls and trees have been kept intact. Utmost attention has been given to the effect of the new design especially to the Bosphorus silhouette. DVN KURUCE SME has been formed as a new cluster of vaults while the existing underground areas, cisterns, retaining walls, terrace gardens formed from the shore elevation towards the upper elevations were kept as they are. The 1000 person multi-purpose hall for events has been inserted in the existing fabric.

Two parking floors under sea level and service areas are also within the scope of the project. There are also, drop-off and pick-up areas brought inside not to interfere with the busy flow of traffic during events, lobby, lounge, cocktail, reception, exhibition and special meeting areas. During the excavations some remains of a hammam and an outbuilding have been found and they were preserved both in their existing elevations and other terraces to be exhibited openly their main traces have been indicated with different colors on the poured terrazzo floors. In Divan Kurucesme attention was paid to the expression of the elements such as the original walls and vaults and how they are perceived from the environment. Moreover, these elements are to be actively protected by being a part of the new function. When the large event space was designed, it was based on the proportions of the existing historical walls. The existing walls were emphasized both in both in interior and exterior design making them a part of the design. The roofs of the technical areas are designed as green terraces in order to extend the continuity of the green fabric. With the light shafts between the roofs cover the daylight is moved into the even space. The wood on the interior roof cover balances the acoustics. It was paid attention to the materials being sustainable, local materials found in the excavations or old walls.

Photos by: Cemal Emden