Istanbul, TR | Berlin, DE
Rising up from a vast grid of highways and housing blocks, Uncube Housing is an experiment in the pursuit of alternative geometries, which are uncontradictorily derived from the urban context. The pedestal of the towers is in alignment with the continuous main street. A twist in orientation of two residential towers enables a strong visual connection with the rest of of the city, whereas the duality provides a semi-private space in between, loaded with common usages and a vibrant atmosphere.
To fulfill the volumetric needs of functional spaces, yet achieving a delicate visual outcome, atmospheric elements were chosen as core components of design and the massive blocks were slanted by the prevailing winds and rain. The metaphorical transformation of the volume, regarded as a large mass of ice has been used as inspiration for the key design strategy: The ice turns into water, water turns into steam and the same volume of material comes back to the earth in forms of particles. The design proposal acknowledges the facade elements, such as windows, shading elements and curtain wall as particles rather than a surface or a volumetric mass. Instead of a design approach, where facade elements cover a mass of functional spaces, this conceptualizing method transformed the hierarchy of the design process and the particles guided the three dimensional form.
Status: Unbuilt
Location: Istanbul, TR
Firm Role: Architect
Additional Credits: Project name: Uncube Housing
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Date: 2015