ACROSS BALAT
How to bring back a block as one unit of Balat and to reinstate it in the current dynamism of the neighborhood ?
Balat, an important area in Istanbul next to the Golden Horn and close by Eminonü, used to be mostly composed by wooden houses before the devastating fires in 19th century. Recently, this neighborhood has been rehabilitated even though some blocks are still incomplete.
The aim of this project is to full one of these blocks and to integrate it in the current dynamism of the area, thanks to differents services in the first floor such as cafe, shops, offices and a neighborhood meeting area and 13 flats in the three other floors. This project is also a proposal for people to have another way to walk through this neighborhood thanks the courtyard which is the limit between the two main buildings. People living in this building can also enjoy two private rooftop with the view on the golden horn.
Balat is located in a hilly area. The project is built on different levels. 1.50m high difference generates two buildings and so differents vertical circulations. The shape of the project reflect the atmosphere of balat thanks to the wood material used for the circulation blocks and the persiane on the facade. The global shape present a 4 levels difference line for a better integration of the neighborhood shape.
Each flats have been designed following the same space organization which include a majority of open space and a varied circulation inside. The central point is a courtyard which in a new meeting place such as a new «bahçe», both for people living here, neighbors and people from outside.
