IND + powerhouse company win canakkale antenna tower competition

IND (inter.national.design) and powerhouse company have won an international competition to construct an antenna tower near the city of çanakkale in western turkey. eight global teams were shortlisted to design the 100-meter tall broadcasting structure which will also serve as a public observation platform. when completed, the elevated site will be transformed in an exciting cultural landmark offering exhibition space and recreational facilities.

the 100-meter tall broadcasting structure will also serve as a public observation platform
image by MIR, all images courtesy of IND + powerhouse company

uniting both the programmatic and spatial requirements in one architectural gesture, the design is comprised of a looped path that establishes both intimate and large-scale relationships with the surrounding forest. the route merges into a visitor center that rises over the trees offering panoramic views over the city, before projecting dynamically into the sky. detached from the ground, the path allows the woodland below to serve as a continuous and uninterrupted landscape, while a generous central garden is contained by the ringed structure.

a generous central garden is contained by the ringed structure
image by MIR

suggesting that pure functionality is no longer enough for a 21st century audience, the design team have placed great emphasis on comfort and emotional experience. the proposed scheme separates the visitor center from the antenna tower, eliminating any radiation hazard. simultaneously, guests can enjoy the feeling of soaring through the treetops to a deck offering 360 degree views. by keeping the technical rooms close to the tower and the road, the functionality of the antenna tower remains uncompromised by the neighboring visitor center. the project creates a strong visual identity for the city and its people, where the distinctive silhouette on the skyline is transformed into an elaborate scenic experience at a more human scale.

the distinctive silhouette on the skyline is transformed into an elaborate scenic experience at a more human scale
image by MIR

UPDATE: this project has been shortlisted in the ‘future projects – culture’ category at the 2019 world architecture festival.

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project info:

location: çanakkale, turkey
client: province of çanakkale
design: arman akdoğan, felix madrazo, charles bessard and nanne de ru
team: alejandro gonzalez perez, stijn kemper, albert t. richters, onur can tepe, bibiana paez, bruno barbosa, senad gvozden, martin frank petersen, donna van milligen bielke, paul rikken, joanna kułaczkowska
structural engineering: ABT, han krijgsman, jouke pieter lutgendorf
antenna engineering: hasan yeşilova, nizamettin çetinyılmaz
aerial visualization: MIR