Ziraat Bank Headquarters – Istanbul, Türkiye
Title
Ziraat Bank Headquarters – Istanbul, Türkiye
Website
Designed by
Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)
Image Credit
© Dirk Linder
Project Description
Project descripiton provided by Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) - Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) is pleased to announce the completion of Ziraat Bank Headquarters. Conceived as the centerpiece of the Istanbul International Financial Center (IIFC), the design of the landmark twin towers integrates highly crafted detail with the demands of a modern workplace and draws on the architectural and cultural heritage of one of the world's oldest and most diverse cities. The development extends to more than 450,000 m2 incorporating Ziraat Bank's headquarters, auditorium, ground-floor retail, and below-grade parking.
"Ziraat Bank Headquarters is a modern building with deep roots in Istanbul's physical and cultural context," says Mustafa Chehabeddine, KPF Design Principal. "Our concept was for the podium to incorporate interpretive references to the intricate style of the region's rich historic architecture, with a layered, screen-like approach to shading, while the towers display a horizontal banding. The building geometry gently and gradually expands toward the top, resulting in a sculptural form that celebrates the growth and development of Ziraat Bank."
'Ziraat Towers, which is a key part of the Istanbul Finance Center Project (IFC), hold great significance for our bank" says Ziraat REIT General Manager, Peyami Ömer. "These towers reflect Ziraat Bank's 161-year deep-rooted history, as well as representing a critical step in carrying our Bank into the future, aligning with our vision to be the sector's leader in every aspect. The Design of the towers was carefully crafted by KPF to be contemporary but at the same time take hints from our rich heritage. This development is also an indicator of our role as 'Ziraat' in achieving the goals of the Türkiye's Century'.
The complex was designed as independent but interconnected buildings, with the podium acting as a continuation of the IIFC's civic space on the street and plaza levels. Bridges cross the eight-story interior atrium at multiple levels, promoting connectivity across the building, while the lower levels of the podium are defined by the sculptural form of the free-standing auditorium.
Throughout the building, high-quality local stone and wood details are incorporated, most notably in the auditorium, which is clad in double-curving panels of CNC-milled, local limestone. Internally, the auditorium is lined with timber to create a sense of intimacy, and the waving profile of the roof panels was modeled to improve acoustics.
