The Agoras Project Creates a Quiet Urban Escape in Busy Istanbul

Istanbul may not be the capital of Turkey, but it’s certainly one of the country’s biggest and most bustling centers. To answer the metropolis' desire for a contemplative and comfortable escape, <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/08/one-ortakoy-a-sustainable-mixed-use-complex-in-istanbul/" target="_blank">Global Architectural Development (GAD)</a> designed the Agoras Project – a mixed-use high rise, residential development covered in green terraces. What could easily be considered as a city within a city, the project provides residents with easy access to shopping, schools, a health center, parks and municipal spaces - but still offers a quiet respite from the bustling city with tranquil terraces, gardens, pools and captivating views of the city. Moreover, eco-strategies like natural day lighting, solar power and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/09/29/the-victoria-albert-museum-as-a-daylit-inverted-pyramid/" target="_blank">rainwater collection</a> up project’s green qualifications.

The Agoras Project is designed for the heart of Istanbul and hosts various sized apartments with shopping, entertainment, and other commercial uses.

Gardens, courtyards, terraces and pools of water give this development a sense of calm even in the heart of the bustling city.

From above, the project appears to be an open green space surrounded by buildings and roads, giving it the feel and aesthetic of a green oasis.

The project has been designed as a central attraction, which includes a 43,000 sq m shopping mall, 14 cinemas, a fitness center, restaurants, and numerous cafes and shops.

A number of high-rise towers have been designed for the development, but each have been sited so as not to interfere with the views from the towers.

Apartments in the tower either look down at the courtyard below or out to the surrounding landscape.

All the apartments are oriented towards the south so that each unit receives ample natural daylight during the day.

Green terraces, elevated gardens and vertical green spaces connect the apartments and offer a sense of nature even in the highest points of the towers.

Apartments are varied in size to accommodate different budgets and family types.

The project also includes a healthy dose of solar power and rainwater collection as part of its eco-program.

Agoras is a self sufficient mixed-use complex that seeks to respond harmoniously with the natural environment.