Perched atop a scenic hill with panoramic views of the Dardanelles, our design for this broadcast tower reimagines the conventional approach. Recognizing the visual and ecological impact, Çanakkale Antenna Tower is enriched with a public park, viewing platforms, a visitor center, and a restaurant.
The international competition challenged our team to create an elegant, eco-friendly, and economically viable solution. The goal was twofold: to consolidate existing telecommunication towers into one, and to open up the site for public use, incorporating amenities like viewing platforms, a visitor center, and hospitality. To balance formal requirements and environmental sensitivity, we worked closely with telecommunication and structural engineers and landscape designers. We ensured a safe distance between the tower and the public area to mitigate radiation risks. This decision led to the creation of an outer viewing platform encircling the entire project. By strategically distributing the program elements, we maximized the site's potential.
The tower stands proudly at the entrance, while the public facilities are placed at the opposite end, capitalizing on the stunning surrounding views of Çanakkale – city and seaport in Turkey’s Marmara region. A fluid outer band seamlessly connected these elements, offering visitors awe-inspiring vistas of the ancient Dardanelles. The loop's design artfully evolved into a tall entrance canyon, a wide viewing terrace deck, an elevated viaduct, and finally, the broadcast tower itself. The architectural intervention extended beyond aesthetics, nurturing a beautiful inner garden. Here, indigenous flora is showcased, and eroded land is rejuvenated with healthy soil and young forest trees. The park, deliberately designed to exude a natural and untamed ambiance, blurs the boundaries between the plot's vegetation and the surrounding forest landscape. A remarkable intervention that harmonizes technical design with environmental consciousness, while transforming the landscape into a public haven.
While the design showcases iconic flair, technical excellence was not compromised. The 100m tall tower was engineered to withstand winds of up to 160km/h, ensuring structural stability and safety. Utilizing steel plates up to 40mm and internal stiffeners, the tower was assembled from modular elements on-site. Corten steel, the chosen finishing material, complemented the landscape, adapting its tones to the sun's exposure and wind, creating a subtle harmony with the natural environment.
The Çanakkale Antenna Tower showcases a clever mix of modern technology and eco-friendly design, offering a glimpse of a multidisciplinary approach. By transforming a previously cluttered and ecologically compromised site into a public oasis with breathtaking views, this project exemplifies the art of harmonizing form and function.
