Istanbul’s Çamlica TV and Radio Tower seeks a sense of motion and rhythm within its silhouette that changes when viewed from different directions around Istanbul. Those architectural formations combine elegance and beauty with math and geometry, whose innovative concept allows inhabitable spaces to be attached to the whole of the tower’s core. The project hopes to symbolize the growth of the megacity of Istanbul.
The telecommunication tower will replace several drab structures currently in use and will combine an estimated 125 broadcasting transmitters in one structure and it will house two-story 360 view restaurant and observation deck overlooking views of Istanbul, from Asia to Europe. There will be also a public foyer, cafe, exhibition and mediatec areas inside the podium which is transformed by the existing park walkway in Küçük Çamlica Grove.
The Panorama Elevators which rising on both sides of the building are architectural elements that feed and divide the monolithic body. Visitors will experience a vertical travel along the 180m towards the historical peninsula on the one side, Black Sea Coasts on the other side. They will be able to watch Istanbul from the observation and restaurant floors where located 400m above sea level.
The tower has been topped with 145-m steel mast supported by a 203-m concrete core which, as of early April, has reached the total height of 369 m of construction (589 m above sea level).
While wind testing was employed to confirm the monumental structure’s overall stability, it was also used to develop the unique facade design and optimize how the load of the building envelope would act on the concrete core. The engineered facade not only provides structural optimization but allows for inhabitable space to radiate around the tower’s central concrete core.
The design principal of MAA, Melike Altinisik, who is also awarded by ‘’Europe 40 under 40 Awards’’ this year explained the design thus ‘’ The story of this award winning project goes back to years ago. In 2011, I have participitated 'Istanbul Çamlica TV and Radio Tower Project’ National Competition in collaboration with Daniel Widrig and Florian Dubiel ( Visualisation.) In late 2013, the Ministry of Transporation and Communication decided to build this futuristic 369m tall tower at Istanbul Küçük Çamlica Hill. It was a long projecting process together with teams of very important Turkish and foreign engineers to achieve international standards. We celebrated its groundbreaking in October 2015. In this unique tower which requires advanced engineering techniques both in terms of architectural design and construction methodology, all the design features, architectural planning and material selections were made considering these processes. ‘’
The tower’s engineered facade is scheduled to be completed in early 2019. The new landmark structure is expected to draw an estimated 4.5 million visitors annually with the official opening slated for late 2019.
