Regenerating the integrity of the green texture of the Beylikbahçe Dutluğu (Beylikbahçe Mulberry Grove) / Vakıf Bahçe (Garden of Endowments) area that existed before construction of Bursa Atatürk Stadium.
FROM GAZİ STADIUM TO DATE
Gazi Stadium is the name of the first building built on Beylikbahçe Mulberry Grove, inaugurated on 3 June 1932, featuring a covered grandstand with a capacity of 300 spectators. Over the years, with various additions, the building evolved into what became known as Bursa Atatürk Stadium. Although this transformation erased the original mulberry grove, the stadium and its surroundings became an urban memory space filled with countless moments cherished by the city’s residents.
We begin with the aim of regenerating the integrity of the green texture of Beylikbahçe Dutluğu (Mulberry Grove) / Vakıf Bahçe (Garden of Endowments) area that existed before the demolition of Bursa Atatürk Stadium. We designed a compound that integrates seamlessly with its surroundings, allows for all possible pedestrian movements, establishes relationships between different urban modes, and offers refined and clear functional solutions.
“You stand on the ridge of a mountain, and to your right, an immense void stretches before you: the Bursa Plain… The cypresses, roads, ploughed fields, puddles, and meadows appear misty, as if viewed through a sheet of lightly frosted glass. The rivers and streams, along with the puddles, shimmer in the sunlight like silver.”
Orhan Kemal
A BUILDING CONNECTING LEVELS
Following the demolition of the stadium, design of the Millet Garden, built at the same level of the stadium field, adopted a composition that did not rise higher than this level. This approach preserved the continuity of greenery in view from Çekirge Street towards the plain. To achieve this, the level difference between the Atatürk High School garden and the demolished sports hall garden was eliminated, strengthening the relationship between the school building and the surrounding sports facilities.
The connection to Kültürpark, where existing trees were preserved and integrated into urban life, became the main boundary from which the building opened and established urban relationships. The green continuity extending from the Millet Garden level towards the building continued across the structure’s roof, with sports halls and facilities designed beneath ground level. This not only increased urban activity zone, allowing it to merge with the garden level, but also enabled the building’s spaces to open up to the city.
SETTLING UNDER AND ABOVE THE SLOPE
Programme components covered by a simple slab are grouped in two main parts. The roof of the Basketball Hall, which opens towards the city, and the Covered Pool, which moves away from Stadium Street and comes close to Kültürpark while attempting to remain more hidden, was articulated to establish the required level relations. As a result, sloping surfaces created open to the Millet Garden and overlook the Atatürk High School garden. The volumes defined by these covered surfaces, which are a continuation of the garden floor, were designed in consideration of the quality and standards required by the programme.
The perimeters of buildings facing the city are treated with transparent finishes, integrating the anonymous urbanite into the life inside the building. New outdoor seating areas and stands were created. In addition, to soften boundaries of transition from street to the interior, materials used in outdoor spaces were also incorporated into the ground floor interior of the building.
KÜLTÜRPARK CONNECTION ROUTE
The continuity of the city with Kültürpark is ensured by Kültürpark Connection Road, which runs in east-west direction. Main programmatic elements of the building are also located along this street, creating a direct relationship it. The foyer, located between the Basketball Hall and the Swimming Pool, acts as both a separating and connecting space and opens directly onto this street. Administrative units are located under the eaves of the space created by the slightly rising slab covering the Basketball Hall to the north.
INDOOR GARDEN, ROOF LIGHTWELLS
The indoor garden, designed to establish a visual connection with the upper landscape, bringing natural light into space, defines entrances to the Basketball Hall. Bridges passing through the indoor garden allow separate entrances for home-team and outcoming-team stands. The southern end of the foyer terminates with an axis opening directly to Stadium Street. The axis was also conceived as potential entrance for outcoming spectators when needed.
The roof slab over the pool is the architectural element that establishes the most prominent connection with outdoor space. This way, the garden and the Kültürpark Connection Road are strongly linked, while being enriched with urban use. The roof slab of the Basketball Hall rises to the north, showcasing its face to the city. Openings created in the roof slab serve for different functions. Spaces where the Millet Garden seems to flow into the building establish the relationship between the building and the garden level, while acting as spatial instruments that provide natural light to the interior.
