Kadikoy Municipality Service Building Competition
Year2025
LocationIstanbul, Turkey
ClientIstanbul Metropolitan Municipality
StatusCompleted
Area54000 m²
TypologyOffices
TeamAli Önalp, Burak Yardımcı, Berk Günay, Doğan Elen, Dilara Akdemir, Melis Üsküner, Yeşim Demir
Kadıköy is one of Istanbul’s most iconic urban centers, known for its dynamic city life, multicultural fabric, and deep historical layers stretching back to ancient Khalkedon. Over the past 70 years, rapid urbanization and intense population movements have transformed Kadıköy into one of the most vibrant social and cultural meeting points in both Istanbul and Turkey.
This transformation has also created new needs in terms of public spaces and buildings. The Kadıköy Municipality Building and City Square Project was developed to address these needs — while preserving the district’s ties to its past, it aims to establish a future-oriented public center.
Urban Context and Connectivity
The project site is located between Bahariye Street, the Kadıköy waterfront, the Moda and Kurbağalıdere axis, and Söğütlüçeşme Station. With existing Marmaray and Metrobus lines, and the addition of planned tram and metro systems, the area is evolving into a major multimodal transportation hub. In this sense, the project is envisioned not only as an architectural structure but also as a key urban connector.
Design Strategies
The project is guided by five core strategies:
- Integrating with coastal and pedestrian axes
- Introducing a new city square for Kadıköy
- Defining clear urban boundaries with neighboring buildings
- Establishing strong pedestrian connections with transit systems
- Ensuring compatibility with future transportation networks
In line with these strategies, public use is prioritized — with bicycle parking, traffic-calming zones, and fluid pedestrian circulation supporting urban mobility.
Architectural Approach
Public functions located on the ground floor are arranged along a central spine in the form of an interior street, creating strong continuity with the outdoor space. The building engages with its surroundings through multiple entrances from different directions.
Office units are positioned along the south façade to maximize access to natural daylight. The mayor’s offices and service areas are located in more inward-facing and controlled sections of the building.
Façade articulations enhance the architectural character of the structure, while also improving natural lighting and ventilation within the interior. Terraces and open spaces on the upper floors serve as elevated social areas, extending public life vertically throughout the building.
