Galata Bridge Renovation
Galata Bridge is a seafront space that connects Eminönü and Karaköy and is located at the entrance of the Golden Horn from the Bosphorus. Beyond being a symbolic architectural element that connects the two sides of old Istanbul both physically and culturally, the bridge is a unique urban intersection where pedestrian and vehicular traffic intertwine with daily life. However, piecemeal interventions over time have overshadowed this multi-layered character of the bridge. In particular, the organisation of restaurants on the lower level has turned into a blockage that limits both the visitor experience and urban permeability. The project responds to these problems by removing layouts of all the existing commercial units and developing a permeable spatial configuration that allows visitors to experience both the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn views at the same time.
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi
Haliç, İstanbul
25.000 m²
2021
Civic, Commercial, Interior
Unbuilt
Fatih Yavız
Emre Şavural
Berk Bingöl
Bilal Uğur Liman
Güney Gürsu Tonkav
Kutay Kaynak
In the new spatial arrangement, visitors can get service from the central zone and then freely choose seating areas oriented in the direction they prefer – enabling them to experience different views. The lower level is no longer solely a gastronomic facility but has been enhanced with new functions that foster cultural and social interaction. As a result, the underside of the bridge has been transformed into a more open, gentle, and permeable platform for the urbanities.
