chromatic pavilions and modular play structures activate historic istanbul rami library

MILIMETRIK ARCHITECTS CONVERTS RAMI LIBRARY INTO FAMILY FESTIVAL

Staged across the historic Rami Library in Istanbul, AileFest 2026 is a temporary spatial intervention designed by Turkish practice Milimetrik Architects. Held from September 26th to October 6th, 2026, the 91,000-sqm installation adapted the site’s historic courtyard and interior halls into an interconnected landscape for family-oriented recreation, education, and cultural programming, hosting approximately 825,000 visitors over an eleven-day period.

MODULAR COURTYARD INSTALLATIONS FOSTER OPEN-ENDED RECREATION

The project employs a child-centric, semi-structured spatial syntax designed around ergonomic scales for varying age demographics. Rather than defining rigid play equipment, the studio populated the expansive outdoor courtyard with modular geometric volumes, abstract shelters, and chromatic gathering nodes that allow for open-ended circulation and spontaneous use. Inside the library, the Book Fair departs from standard orthogonal booth layouts, organizing the space with pitched house-shaped pavilions, primary-toned modular display stands, and graphic floor patterns. The intervention establishes continuous circulation between the open-air courtyards and the historic interior galleries, utilizing temporary timber-and-steel fabrications to activate the civic site without altering its heritage fabric.

project info:

name: AileFest 2026 | @aile.festivali
architect: Milimetrik Architects | @milimetrikarchitects

location: Rami Library, Istanbul, Türkiye

dates: September 26th – October 6th, 2026

festival area: 91,000 sqm

photographer: Fevzi Ondu | @fevziondu

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