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Hukukçular Residential Complex

Istanbul, Turkey
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Hukukçular Residential Complex is one of the most successful and interesting examples of apartment block typology in the post-war late modern architecture of Turkey. The complex in itself embodies an iconic structure that still represents the co-op housing trend of its construction period. The complex comprises social, commercial and technical facilities in addition to various types of apartments. These additional functions make the complex a rare example for an apartment block that includes spaces for social facilities. The large residential complex with three types of apartments owes its spirit to Le Corbusier's Unite d'Habitation. In addition to this inspiration, the specific design solutions for the complex reveal a unique character. Le Corbusier's duplex apartments face two directions whereas those designed by Baysal and Birsel face only a single direction.

Construction & Plan Scheme

The building lot is located in a dense settlement zone near Mecidiyeköy in Istanbul. Situated on a 2,860m2 surface area, the complex has a prismatic mass with a façade 43 m long in the front, 72 m long on the side and 35 m long in the rear. A seven meter high level difference between the front and rear façades was utilized as a design solution for commercial units. Constructed in reinforced concrete, the building reflects the construction techniques and materials of its period. The height of the block provides wide views over the city, the western and southern façades facing the sea. The façades with sea view were defined as an independent block. The main corridor is located between the two rows of flats and the two different floor levels, providing access to the duplex apartments with half-storey high staircases. The duplex and half-duplex flats are reached from the landings of the main staircases. The problem of interior circulation was solved with minimum loss of space, leaving a free plan.The residential block is twelve storeys high and contains 66 apartments on six gallery floors. Although a single type of apartment was favored at the beginning of the project, an alteration of types was preferred in the end. Three different types of flats were designed as a result: A monoplex/simplex (12 units, 117m2 each), B duplex (30 units, 147m2 each) and C/C half-duplex (24 units, 151m2 and 147 m2 each). Although the flat types differ from each other, the main principal in their design remains similar: each flat has three bedrooms and two wet areas. There are also fixed furnitures in each flat, applied along with the structure, providing a unity in the whole design and achieving both functionality and aesthetics.Social and supplementary facilities included a bike park, site manager lodge and storage spaces on the first and third basement floors. Commercial areas were situated on the ground floor and the adjoining mezzanine, along with the first, second and third floors. Technical units consisted of the utility gallery on the terrace; a boiler room, a water and a fuel tank with a shelter space on the third basement floor. The aim in planning such a system in a single residential complex was to respond to every need of the complex residents.

Later Alterations

The building is fairly well maintained compared with other residential buildings of its period. The complex has undergone several alterations in different dates. Although its façade and main architectural characteristics are preserved, most of the interiors changed due to the users’ needs. In 2006, its exterior façade was insulated and re-painted. In the early 2000s a large-scale shopping mall was constructed near the complex.

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