ozel office: izmir opera house proposal

izmir opera house by ozel office all images courtesy ozel office

international architectural firm ozel office have sent in images of their proposal for the izmir opera house in turkey.

being a port city that wishes to reestablish itself in the global arena, izmir not only aims to re-center itself as a hub of economic activity but also simultaneously intends to re establish its cultural significance. the competition for the new izmir opera house is a part of this strategic plan, and architecture is expected to act as a catalyst.  

the amphitheatre

their proposal for the izmir opera aims to tap into the existing architectural memory of the city through a synthesis of 2 prominent architectural typologies: the tower and the amphitheater.

tower: it is an urban marker that creates ‘place’ through its physical presence and iconography. the architects believe that izmir needs a contemporary tower that signifies and marks its new and emerging priorities and announces its progressive cultural agenda.

amphitheater: amphitheater is a typology that is designed to accommodate public gatherings, therefore is a form  that acts as an interface for social unity.

by fusing these two different types of architectural typologies, their proposal for izmir opera aims to create a continuous social space. this fusion creates not only a visual and spatial synergy but also a functional and operational one. the opera becomes a podium to observe the city and an object that can be observed at the same time. consequently, activities of high culture such as opera and ballet are threaded into the fabric of daily life. architecture becomes a catalyst that reinforces the relationship between the old city, the new city, the waterfront and urban culture.

interior

view at night

construction of the facade

the complex programmatic demands of the opera are divided into two main components: the staff use and public use.

the staff functions such as opera and ballet related rehearsal rooms, administrative spaces, technical support and such are organized as a u around the publicly accessible spaces, and are primarily located at the northern edge of the site. the all accessible spaces such as lobbies and foyers are located south. the large hall and small hall are placed in between so that they connect these two aspects of the program. the large hall, opera and ballet admin and lobbies are located underneath ‘the city amplifier,’ the all accessible public amphitheater roof that faces the waterfront and the park. the city amplifier can be used as seating, a performance venue, viewing platform, a gathering place for other outdoor cultural activities as well as a continuous promenade that connects the waterfront to the northern edge of the site. it is also covered with planters and water features to create experiential variety. the oversized skylights allow for a visual connection to the interior lobby and vent out  warm air as a part of a sustainability strategy.

programmatic diagram

‘the tower of culture’ houses the small hall, the restaurant and other indoor public uses in order to take advantage of the dramatic views of the city. through its height and iconic silhouette, the tower is the most striking structure visible while entering the bay of izmir by sea.

site plan

floor plan