This social housing project has been located on land with a multi - directional slope. Besides, Izmit is an earthquake zone, therefore a structure that takes a natural effect into account has been designed. The 4 blocks has been located according to features of the land, especially according to its heights. By limiting the typology of apartments to only 3 types, has resulted in low costs and time as well as contributed to an equal social life and flat architecture.
The land has a forest as well as a bay view. At first, it seems the location has been isolated from the city center of Izmit. While, public transport makes it possible to travel in a short time. Also, the 120 m2 stores change the perception of physical distance to the city center.
During the preliminary design process the context was one of the important parameter to take into account. So, forest houses have been used as reference for façade and landscape design of this project. The use of curtain walls and thermowood at the entrance of the blocks connect the design with its context. In this way, a relationship has been established with the environment. In addition, trees have been located at the entrance of the blocks as well as at the recessed points of the façade to provide a life within the nature. Besides, for this project social life, green area, parks, semi - open spaces, walking paths and a sport area were crucial. The positioned stairs and ramps in the semi - open areas provide seating and support circulation of disabled people in the residence. As well as the stores will add vitality to the area. Finally, the 4 mono blocks are subdivided by recessing the façade at some points. In this way, a perception of freestanding forest houses has been tried to established. The section proves an extrusion of various houses that goes along the with the multi - directional slope of the site.
In total a project consist of 4 blocks with 143 apartments and 5 stores has been designed. There are 37 apartments of 87m2 with a garden, living room and 2 bedrooms. Also, 66 apartments of 93 m2 with one living room and 2 bedrooms and 40 apartments of 124 m2 with one living room and 3 bedrooms. For this project important keywords are nature, quality of living, social area, social equality, flat architecture, time and low - costs.
The Çınar Houses project, located on a sloping topography, has been a backbone for the linear shaping of the landscape design. The main linear circulation of the pedestrian walking paths have been determined on the east-west axis of the area, that forms also the main landscape circulation. This approach suits also the zoning plan of the area. Furthermore, the need for recreational areas such as sports, playgrounds and recreation were essential for this social housing project, because it offers dwelling for a large number of people. Therefore, outdoor activities aimed at residents of all ages are important. In addition to children’s playgrounds, exercise equipment, a mini basketball court, there is an outdoor chess area. Also, the semi-open spaces are proposed according to the movement of the topography. Again, the recreation areas have been designed according to the sloping topography.
To provide an accessible living space for everyone, it was crucial to connect the pedestrian walking paths with a minimal inclination and providing unobstructed connection to functional areas. In addition, the transitions between buildings by stairs enable connection between the pedestrian pathways and north-south axis of the project area as well. To ensure the continuity of green in the environment, it was also important to plant vegetation and semi-shade plants on these points.
The project area is adjacent to the forest areas, hence the choice of materials that will support vegetative diversity in the site have been guiding. Besides, the preference for diverse green plants come to the fore to ensure seasonal continuity, creating shaded areas and preventing wind corridors that may occure in the pedestrian pathways. So the color changes of the leaves during the seasonal transitions and the aromatic plants shaped in fragrance gardens will create amusing spaces for the residents. Furthermore, sycamore trees are also included in the selection of plants to accentuate the name of the concept of houses, Çınar (sycamore) Houses.
Besides daytime lighting, it is also important to create illuminated safe open spaces and support use of the area at night. In this project direct lighting is preferred, for this reason it is essential that the luminaires are in human scale and the selected pole types are compatible with the general language of the design. Therefore, Bollard, tall lighting and street lighting have been preferred.
Square Houses
İstanbul, Turkey, 2022
Social Housing, Built.
17.000 m²