AVLU MERCAN

Building

Due to quality deviations during construction, piecemeal reinforcements lacking a holistic approach, and inadequate protection against climatic factors, a comprehensive reinforcement project is required. This necessity has defined the nature of the architectural intervention. For the implementation of the extensive reinforcement project, all perimeter and partition walls of the building will be removed. Floor coverings, suspended ceilings, frames, fixed and movable furniture, installations, and fixtures will be dismantled. A thorough renovation project has been prepared, addressing vertical circulation and fire scenario, parking circulation, additional functions, facade arrangement, and more.

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Facades

As part of the Reinforcement Project, the column reinforcements on the facade of Block D mentioned in the Existing Condition Report 1.1. have been removed, the decorative first-floor perimeter beam has been trimmed, and all perimeter columns and beams have been encased in 20 cm reinforced concrete. In the Architectural Renovation Project, due to this reinforcement decision, all frames will be dismantled, and all facade and parapet walls will be removed. The rationale behind this decision includes the economic inefficiency of partial demolition and repairs on these elements, and the ease of detailing insulation and facade layers by bringing the facade to a single plane. New walls under the frames will be built over the beam reinforcement, bringing the building facade to a single plane for the insulation layer and mechanically mounted facade cladding. At the corners where reinforcement walls are located, metal frameworks will be used to align the facade indentations within the building axis to the overall facade plane. A 20 cm depth is anticipated for the facade cladding system, detailing elements such as rainwater downpipes and insulation layers within this space. For the Municipal Service Building, a ceramic facade cladding system measuring approximately 120x360 cm and 3 mm thick, installed based on mechanical mounting principles, has been chosen. Aluminum frames and aluminum sills/casings are selected for the windows.

The entrance on Fuat Pasha Street to the Municipal Service Annex Building has been recessed by half an axis to enhance its public character and create an awning opportunity. The facade’s invitation is further supported by common floor balconies on each floor where the plan scheme permits.

The reinforcement principle for the parking structure is also based on the principle mentioned above for Block D. To create a unified perception of both structures and to inspire the surrounding disorganized facade layout, the parking structure is clad with a similar color and size facade cladding system, but semi-transparent. The aluminum expanded metal facade cladding panels are approximately 100x280 cm. To maintain facade integrity, the step in the parking structure has been addressed with a steel floor parapet. Facade openings have been designed considering both the 50-70% visibility provided by the expanded metal cladding and the view from both the university and the scenic facade.

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Fire Escape Scenario

The fire escape scenario mentioned in item 1.3 was deemed insufficient and has been removed. As part of the renovation project, which re-evaluated circulation, contact was made with the Istanbul Fire Department Technical Office, and a fire scenario was established. Accordingly, a continuously protected fire stairway has been added between axes 14-15 and G-H in the Municipal Service Annex Building and between axes 8-9 and A-B in the parking structure, extending from the terrace level to all basement levels. The stairway in the service building opens to the street from the Semaver Street facade (within 15 meters), while the stairway in the parking structure opens directly to the street from the Fuat Paşa Street side.

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Vertical Circulation Scheme

In the Municipal Service Annex Building, the reinforced concrete stairway located between axes B-C and 14-15 has been removed, and a steel stairway in a similar position has been proposed. The wet areas adjacent to the stairway house have been removed by one axis, and two elevators, one of which is a service elevator, have been installed in this space.

In the parking structure, a damaged reinforced concrete stairway located between axes 8-9 and J-K has been removed and replaced with a steel stairway. An elevator has been added to support the vertical circulation axis on the scenic facade, utilizing the elevator shaft located between axes 7-8 and J-K.

Considering the additional functions on the terrace level, the main entrance of the Fuat Pasha Street parking structure has been designated as the primary entrance. In this context, two elevators have been recessed by half an axis and placed on the axis adjacent to the Municipal Service Building. Thus, the municipal entrance, pedestrian entrance to the parking, and vehicle entrance have been resolved in close relationship on the same facade and level. The existing vertical circulation core and the new core have been designed as floor halls at each level, ensuring safe pedestrian flow within the parking structure and utilizing both scenic potentials. Along with the elevator and stair cluster in the Municipal Service Annex Building, these three cores form the circulation scheme for the new functions on the terrace level.

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Function

Although the renovation project for the Municipal Service Annex Building continues its use as an office building, the ground floor has been designed to include an event area, a foyer/exhibition hall to support this area, a café niche, and two workshop/classroom spaces. This aims to add a cultural quality to the predominantly commercial function cluster in the vicinity, providing a transformative contribution to its surroundings. Access to the upper office floors is provided through secure passage around the circulation core. Wet areas have been reorganized.

In the parking structure, due to narrowed openings from the reinforcement, ensuring quality pedestrian circulation, technical area requirements, the addition of a fire stairway, and functional changes on the terrace floor, the parking function has been continued with a reduced capacity of 460 vehicles. In the static, mechanical, and electrical projects, maintaining a minimum clear height of 200 cm and a minimum clear width of 500 cm in the vehicle parking area has been adopted as a principle. After the reinforcement, the minimum width of parking niches is 500 cm, the road axis for entry and exit of parking niches is a minimum of 570 cm, and the road axis in the direction of the ramps is a minimum of 500 cm. A 20 cm reinforcement allowance on the facade beams has been designed as an inverted beam at the parking entrances.

The personnel areas and wet areas in the parking structure have been reorganized.

To improve the quality of vehicle and pedestrian circulation in the parking structure, a traffic guidance graphic study has been conducted, and principle details for specific areas have been produced.

A study has been conducted for the logos and directional graphics on the facades.

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Terrace Floor Functions

The quality of the view that the building opens onto has highlighted the potential functions for the terrace floor. Due to the structural quality of the existing roof of Block D, it is planned to be removed, along with the reinforced concrete towers covering the parking ramps and the municipal annex and elevator/staircase house on the scenic facade. In contrast to this old construction, it is planned to open the central area towards the view and allocate it to landscaping, creating a mass with a pitched roof equal to the gabarit of the old mass on Block D, but recessed by one axis from the long facades, and creating a similar mass on the adjacent short facade. A life similar to the courtyard typology surrounded by arcaded porticoes, often encountered in the historical fabric of Fatih, has been envisioned. It is proposed that the space above the municipal block could serve as a Municipal Social Facility, and the other space could function as a restaurant or similar. To facilitate circulation between these two spaces, the levels on the terrace floor have been aligned, except for the amphitheater/landscaping in the central area. The elevator and fire stair tower on the university facade is covered with a seamed metal roof similar to the main masses, while the elevator and stair tower on the Bosphorus view facade is intended to be entirely transparent.