Taksim Pavilion

Kavuşma Durağı  _ Convergence Stop –  The most important public spaces of democracy for contemporary cities are squares. Those who live in the city come together freely in these spaces where their differences turn into acquaintances and a feeling of belonging to the city becomes open for everyone. Therefore, cities find a meaning through the presence of squares.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has initiated the process of redesigning a number of important public places with the participation of Istanbul residents in order to enhance the life of the city and to assert the right for a free urban life in Istanbul. Urban design competitions will be opened for important squares of Istanbul, especially Taksim Square.

Through a series of events such as workshops, panels, exhibitions, and forums with the slogans of “tell me your opinion” and “be part of the city” the competitions become a process that is open to everyone’s participation. The most important place of all this collective decision-making process is the meeting, activity and exhibition structure named “Convergence Stop” established in Taksim Square by the initiative of IBB / Cultural Heritage Project Directorate.

The pavilion is an amphitheatre made up of two wings that connect to the square through steps at both sides. The stage becomes an activity platform surrounded by two tribunes that face each other. The steps are made of wood modules that are placed on a steel structure. The stage hosts a surface of 180m2 where dance, theatre, music or spontaneous performances can be watched. More importantly, the urban design competition finalists will be voted by the Istanbulians here, making the pavilion a place to discuss new ideas for the city. Under the amphitheatre an exhibition space includes an overview of the history of Taksim square. The envelope is made of thin steel elements that become also the handrails above.

The pavilion “Convergence Stop” will not only serve Istanbul residents of Taksim Square, but it will also be moved eventually to locations such as Bakırköy Square, Waterfront Regulations between Salacak-Harem and Kadıköy Square. The pavilion will continue to function as a participation platform during the urban design competitions of these areas. After the whole process, it will be placed in a yet to be selected park in Istanbul.

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