Istanbul Modern | RPBW - Renzo Piano Building Workshop

The design of the new building was inspired by the Bosphorus with its glittering waters and light reflections. The transparent ground floor, housing the library, museum information points, the discovery space, café, and museum shop, will strengthen the connection on this exceptional site between the waterfront, and the existing Tophane Park. The opaque elements of this level create a landscape of circular columns and mechanical pipes, which forms a soft transition between light and shadow, rather than sharp shadow lines or a clear separation between black and white, thus creating a bright and safe environment.

The first floor is home to the photography gallery, pop-up gallery, education rooms and event rooms. At the same level, retaining a concept that existed in the original Istanbul Modern, a restaurant on the south façade has an outdoor terrace with views toward the Bosphorus and the historical peninsula.The second floor houses the permanent exhibition gallery and temporary exhibition gallery.

Located in a unique setting where the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn meet, Istanbul Modern provides the city with a one-of-a-kind viewing terrace hovering over a shallow plane of water which covers the entire roof of the building.

Above the glazed ground level, the skin of the building is made by a sequence of 3D formed aluminium panels playing with the shadow and light bouncing from the water.

The building also includes a 156-seat auditorium on the mezzanine for film screenings and events.

Constructed with the joint contributions of Istanbul Modern’s founding sponsor, the Eczacıbaşı Group, and its main sponsor, Doğuş Group-Bilgili Holding, the new building is preparing to welcome visitors soon.

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Credits

Client
Istanbul Museum of Modern Art

Design
Renzo Piano Building Workshop, architects
in collaboration with Arup (Istanbul)

Design Team
E.Baglietto, F.Giacobello (partner and associate in charge), R.Dunphy
with M.Cecchetto, E.Doyduk, M.Tokarnia, R.Wong and M.Yildirim; B.Pignatti, A.Pizzolato, C.Zaccaria (CGI); M.Abidos, F.Cappellini, D.Lange, F.Terranova (models)

Consultants
Arup (structure, MEP, lighting); R.Uysalkan (consulting interior architect), JML (water feature)