Suleymaniye Historical District Renewal and Affordable Housing Project, Stage 1”
Client: Istanbul Greater Municipality
Project Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Project Year: 2022
A collaborative project by EKLEKTIK ACADEMIC AND DESIGN WORKS & KMIM ARCHITECTURE
Position: Self-Employed Architect
Escalating real estate prices across Turkey, particularly in Istanbul, worsens the housing dilemma for low-income groups. Addressing this issue is a top priority for government agencies and various non-governmental organizations. Despite concerted efforts, the existing housing supply falls short of meeting the city's needs, perpetuating one of its most significant urban challenges.
This proposal is formulated through an experimental architectural project ownership model aimed at standardizing the built environment while adhering to urban and architectural design principles. The team comprises KMIM Architecture Studio and Eklektik Academic and Design Works. While the team collectively develops the general approach to the affordable housing model and fundamental design principles within the block, the conceptual design of each plot is individually developed by the designated designer assigned to that specific plot.
The proposal makes three significant contributions:
1. Conducting an in-depth analysis and research into the housing crisis in Istanbul and Turkey, including archival research on previous attempts in housing history in Turkey. This research aims to understand the reasons behind the success or failure of those models.
2. Proposing a new model for affordable housing to address the gaps and issues identified in previous models. This model aims to create a self-sustaining and self-governing system that provides economic resources, oversees the construction of housing, implements fair and equitable systems for resident selection, and maintains self-governance within the affordable housing framework.
3. Adopting a novel approach to the design process to address the challenges of block development, ultimately leading to the integration of the built environment through an experimental project ownership model
SERVICES
Research and Analysis
-Conducting research and deep analysis of the housing crisis in Istanbul
-Archival and site-specific research of the historical context and history of the block given by the municipality
Housing Model Development-Developing a new approach to housing to tackle the housing crisis in Istanbul
-Working closely with the municipality officials to legislate the model and take actions
Conceptual Design
-Developing a proposal using an experimental project ownership model
-Designing affordable housing units, community spaces that can accommodate a wide range of residents (age, income and ethnicity)
The proposed model establishes a collaborative system between the municipality and citizens. It aims to foster specialized communities by catering to diverse target groups, all while promoting a sustainable economy.
Community Administration: The party that deals with maintenance and repair works within the block and organizes events and programs to ensure inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability for the residents.
Civil Initiatives: The party that develops the social housing model. This party organizes, supervises, and examines all the parties to ensure the housing model works according to the foundational principles (equal and fair distribution of housing units to those who are in urgent need and office spaces for underrepresented creatives).
Municipality: The party organizing the partnerships between the contractor, civil initiative, and community administration
BasIc prIncIples and archItectural approach
Connecting housing units with circulation elements creates spatial experiences and provides social interaction within the block. The block works in two ways: inside the block, the circulation unifies the design approach and connects all buildings; outside, the differentiation of the design approach on each plot creates a diversified built environment with humble elements that blend into the historical context of the block.
Circulation that connects the housing complex
Diversification of form and materials on the proposed buildings
Ground Level of the northern side of the block showing historical cistern found on site
Ground Level of the inner court
1st Level
2nd Level
Proposal for Plot #9
Private Ownership-Housing (conceptual design developed by Merve Ozgur)
Ground Floor-Commercial
1st Floor-Housing
2nd Floor-Housing
Proposal for Plot #10
Public Ownership (Municipality)- Community Center (conceptual design developed by Merve Ozgur)
Ground Floor - Seminar Room
1st Floor - Administrative Office
