JDS architects envisions peak forms for zeytinburnu city in istanbul

JDS architects envisions peak forms for zeytinburnu city in istanbul
all images courtesy of JDS architects

in order to maximize views toward the sea of marmara on the istanbul coastline, JDS architects has envisioned the mixed-use complex of ‘zeytinburnu city’ as a series of constructed peaks and valleys. the design is composed as a continuous spiral of buildings that rise and descend with curving forms. this arrangement allows for each living unit throughout the depth of the site to have increased views toward the water.

an active public space is located at the center of the complex

the waterfront site is located in the district of zeytinburnu, positioned between istanbul’s center and airport. the complex’s program is primarily made up of housing units, but also includes commercial functions and public spaces, which occupy and activate the ground level. above, the entirety of the façades are patterned with a gridded arrangement of balconies. additionally, waterways follow the structures’ overall arrangement, bringing the sea into the group of alternating peak and valley forms.

from the waterfront, the complex appears as a group of curving constructed mountains

the entirety of the façades are patterned with a gridded arrangement of balconies

site plan: the building’s are composed in a spiral arrangement

a sample cross section through the mixed-use site

zeytinburnu is a district on the european side of istanbul

the site is located on the waterfront of the sea of marmara

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project info:

location: istanbul, turkey     
project: planning, commercial, public, housing, mixed-use
size: 300,000 sqm
client: gayrimenkul gelistrime is ortagliki
type: invited competition
status: settled 2014    
collaborator: DB architects         
creative authorship: julien de smedt     
project leader: kamile malinauskaite     
project team: aurélien raymond, boris tikvarksi, camille fatier, daan van de velde, edgar jesé rodriguez, vincent macris