Crystal Volume on Artificial Hills

Located between the major highways of Istanbul, D-100 and TEM, in the proximity of Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Pendik, Istanbul, the project transforms an old industrial chemical factory land into a technology company campus for one of the most dynamic Turkish banks. Inspired by the natural topography around the site and the desire of creating a clear contrast to the surroundings’ unorganized urban fabric. The campus has introduced the most modern green solutions, for which it has received Leed Gold certificate.

A crystal volume as the main working environment is lying gently over several artificial hills sheltering various functions such as two 600 and 200 seats auditoriums, educational meeting spaces, cafeterias, lounges on bridges, data center and many other functions. 

With approximately 142,000 sqm total built area and 51,000 sqm site are, the campus programme is configured into three major sections: a 53,500 sqm open offices, a 16,000 sqm auditorium, educational spaces and cafeterias, a 72,500 sqm for parking, a Tier 4 data center, a sport center, common spaces, archives and service areas. 

The horizontal floating volume connects the two plots of the site by the introduction of hanged bridges and glazed screen walls over 30 meters spans. The buildings’ main structure is a flat slab concrete system at the offices and exposed frame structure at the lower levels. Along the outer skin, office spaces have been freed out of columns by 4.5 to 11 meters deep cantilevers. The widest cantilevering areas are supported by large composite beams placed on the roof. 

 Materials provided by ERA Architects (via v2com)
Photos: © Cemal Emden

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