Location: Istanbul, Turkey.

Architect: KG Mimarlık.

The Istanbul Ikitelli Organized Industrial Zone planned to expand an existing building by partially demolishing it to add a warehouse building and an additional floor. The new structure would be 8,505 m², and vehicles would be able to enter the warehouse building for loading and unloading. The existing office building would be the base for the new floor, and the “masjid” in the basement would be relocated to the new floor to provide natural light and a less stuffy environment. The new warehouse and masjid were designed with a mutual architectural language using the same materials and forms. The metal cover of the new design was torn in appropriate places to allow for natural lighting, and the frames of these tears were highlighted in yellow to match the surrounding residential buildings. The vehicle entry and exit for the warehouse building was provided by a ramp at the front, and the entry and exit for the existing office building was made from under the ramp attachment. The mosque had a capacity of 520 people and a dynamic roof that was inward-facing to conform to the function of worship inside. The facade was designed to receive light from the ceiling and eliminate the feeling of heaviness caused by the addition of a floor to the building.

Photo credit: Büşra Yeltekin.