Istanbul Taksim Square

Taksim Square and its environs in Istanbul has always been one of the most significant representatives of the social, political, and architectural history of the Turkish Republic, in fact have a history reaching far beyond that. Although the area experienced many changes, it always remained as one of the symbolic areas of İstanbul. The current Taksim Square had been the home of the water distribution system to Galata and Beyoğlu in history, which was made through a small structure called the “Maksem” (Taksim Water Distribution Facility), hence giving the name to the entire area. In the project, the cascaded pools stretching through the Cumhuriyet axis reference this water-laden past and contribute a positive scale to the project.

Taksim, gained its square identity after the Second World War, had been the witness of many architectural past, which left strong traces on the recent collective memory, such as Pangaltı Armenian Cemetery, Muslim Ayaspaşa Cemetery, Topçu Barracks, Taksim Stadium and Kristal Club. Together with the centrally-placed Republican Monument (aka Taksim Atatürk Monument), it has been used as a multi-functional and full-time city square until today. Taksim, Beyoğlu had also become a symbol in urban memory with its art, culture, commerce and entertainment activities happening 7/24.