Ziya İmren Architects has recently won an invited competition for the design of the Beykoz School complex in Istanbul. The firm’s winning proposal distinguished itself by embedding its layout within the steep site’s natural surrounding and organizing school as a “cascading” hierarchy of spaces.

Though a central pedestrian path was challenging to establish, considering the site’s topography, the practice organized the school’s main circulation around a series of “green squares” and urban terraces. Intended for both public and student use, these social areas directly connect to the school’s major programs, including the auditorium, library, pool and sports center.

In addition to providing spectacular views of the surrounding nature and Bosporus, the cascading levels ensure optimum natural light for all teaching areas.

Competition Istanbul Beykoz School Complex

Award First Place

Architects Ziya İmren Architects

Location Yalıköy Mh., Hünkar Tepe Caddesi No:77, 34800 Istanbul/Istanbul Province, Turkey

Architect in Charge Ziya İmren, Tolga İltir

Collaborator Selçuk Doğramacı

Visualizations Vizarch.Cz

Client Turkish Ministry of Education

Area 67700.0 sqm

Photographs Ziya Imren Architects

This competition was part of a series conducted by the Turkish Ministry of Education for a number of school sites around Turkey. You can review Marc Koehler and ONZ's winning proposal for the Kastamonu Campus, as well as Inter National Design's modular design for Viranşehir.