The Island of Sivriada is immediately south of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. The principal structure sits at the high point of the island 80 m above sea level, and will accommodate a naval museum, auditorium, hotel and conference facilities, mosque, and other public amenities. A series of viewing platforms give panoramic views over the sea and towards Istanbul, culminating in a dramatic viewpoint on the uppermost floor of the building, at 110 m above sea level. The tip of the cantilevered canopy soars overhead to 140 m.
The shape of the icon building takes inspiration from an old Ottoman painting of a galleon riding the top of a wave, overlooking and guarding the coast of Istanbul and the surrounding region.
Historical quarrying of stone on Sivriada has caused significant visual damage to the southern face of the island. To help heal this scar and put the land back into beneficial use, we proposed to use the space as an open-air amphitheatre. Given the existing form at the base of the quarry, with minimal intervention it is possible to convert this area into a saltwater pool, with inset stage and covered stepped seating around the perimeter.
The existing Marina has been redesigned to bring visitors to the island. A variety of amenities will be located around the marina including a café, a restaurant with outdoor plaza seating, an ice cream kiosk and other similar smaller retail units.
A beach club will be positioned under the seating with northern views out towards the sea and easy access to the island’s only natural beach. A waterfall will cascade down into the pool below, which will be used to celebrate key dates in the Turkish culture. The water will be pumped back uphill using renewable energy generated on site.
The amphitheatre will be physically linked to the marina and funicular station through a series of covered undulating ramps connecting the different areas of the Island. A series of pedestrian walkways will allow visitors to walk around the island and up to the summit building. The walkways will be a combination of stepped paths carved into the rock and suspended structures.
