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Writer's picturezeynep eda gonen

Nevzat Sayın/Emre Arolat/Ihsan Bilgin, EVIDEA

Çekmeköy is a rapidly developing area of Istanbul that is stuffed with high-density housing projects, although it does not recall the chaotic nature of Istanbul, you can still feel the errors of the cityscape. There is a complex transportation network surrounding the housing, like the bus stops just outside the blocks. Also there are metro stations right in front of the housing which are planned to open soon.

The housing block fits the immediate surroundings considering the scale of the masses. Neighboring housing sites and shopping malls are in similar proportions. Evidea proposes a secluded garden away from the troubles of the big city. As you enter through the housing, you feel the calm inhabitance of the main courtyard. This courtyard is the main place of attraction, as all of the living rooms of flats are looking inward to the courtyard.

The courtyard is a complex place full of livelihood consisting of a pool, courts for sports, social facilities, a pond, vegetation and landscape all put on different levels of topography. The different places in the courtyard are never separated with a wall or a structural element, they feel like different spaces through visual perspectives.

The main separator of places is the active organization of topography, landscape and vegetation. What is between the buildings and the courtyard is the walking-track, again on different levels of topography as they’re connected with different ramps. There are two masses of buildings giving two main access routes into the housing. These two masses are separated into 29 different entrances that create 29 blocks. These blocks do not have corridors or large spaces for circulation. As these spaces are smaller, more of the facade and the main living spaces are seeing the courtyard.

The long facades of the buildings are designed to lighten the massiveness of the structure through balconies. There are 3 types of balconies following a pattern, makes up a different scenario of living and relationship with the courtyard. As a conclusion, Evidea is a search of an ideal environment for metropolitan people as an oasis in the middle of the city.


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