Istanbul’s futuristic 369m meter-tall new telecommunication tower seeks a sense of motion and rhythm within its silhouette that changes when viewed from different directions around Istanbul. Istanbul TV & Radio Tower is not a line or a trace, but an expression of history, culture, communication, and interaction. Moreover, it is a sociological aspect of the silhouette and statement of the city to its citizen in line with its needs.
It is the reflection of its nature. Tower has an organic structure that is not familiar within the urban fabric of Istanbul. The main design inputs such as wind direction, local topography, and the sceneries reflected in the form of the tower.
Its architectural formations combine elegance and beauty with math and geometry, whose innovative concept allows inhabitable spaces to be attached to the whole of the tower’s core.
In this unique tower which requires advanced engineering techniques both in terms of architectural design and construction methodology, all the design features, architectural planning and material selections were made considering these processes.
While wind testing was employed to confirm the monumental structure’s overall stability, it was also used to develop the unique facade design and optimize how the load of the building envelope would act on the concrete core. The engineered facade not only provides structural optimization but allows for inhabitable space to radiate around the tower’s central concrete core.
A Building that Turns into a Space of Dialogue and Exploration:
The telecommunication tower will house two-story 360 view restaurant and observation deck overlooking views of Istanbul, from Asia to Europe. There is also a public foyer, café, exhibition and mediatic areas inside the entrance podium. Interior design was developed based on the fact that the building includes unique spaces that offer a new experience and contain futuristic design characters.
The main purpose is to create surprising encounters by establishing strong relationships with where it is located, using light, nature, and spatial spaces; so that it may change people’s perspective, and courage them think differently.
The new landmark structure completed its construction process and has started its main telecommunication functions in November 2020. Istanbul TV and Radio Tower opened its doors to public use in May 2021 and since then it is welcoming the visitors from all over the world.
Team:
Architect: MELIKE ALTINISIK ARCHITECTS - MAA
Client: UAB – Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
Project Director: Melike Altınışık
Project Design Team: Melike Altınışık in collaboration with Daniel Widrig
Project Architects: Özge Çağlayan, Tuğba Okçuoğlu, Ayça Yontarım
Project Team: Melih Altınışık, Tan Akıncı, Begüm Aktaş, İrem Coşkun, Gül Ertekin, Büşra Güler, Çiğdem Nur Kebapçı, Selçuk Kişmir, Thomas Kleinow, Samed Tezgah, Ahmet Ünveren, Alev Cansu Ovalı
Architectural Assistants: Ali Arslan, Yunus Emre Demirkıran, Zoe Georgio, Mazyvdas Samuolis, Beste Sensöz,
Competition Team: Melike Altınışık in collaboration with Daniel Widrig and Florian Dubiel (visualisation)
Engineers & Consultants
Structural Engineer: Balkar
Structural Peer Review: Thorton Tomasetti
Telecomunication Engineer: ABE Teknoloji
Electrical Engineer: HB Teknik
Mechanical Engineer: Çilingiroğlu
Wind Engineer: RWDI
Facade Engineer: Newtecnic
Landscape Architect: DS Landscape
Fire Strategy Consultant: Etik
Vertical Circulation Consultant: 3TEK
Acoustic Consultant: Pro-Plan
Lighting Design Consultant: Realities United, Dark lighting
Way Finding Design Consultant: POMPAA
Quantity Survey and Fee Estimation: Entegre Project Management
Photography: NAARO, MIR
Video: GRIYER
Material Used:
1. Şişecam Flat Glass
2. Jotun
3. Ytong
4. Vitra
5. Schindler
6. MetalYapı Eng
