The site is set in the natural ecology of Istanbul’s Boshorus and home to the historic observatory built at the turn of the 19th century.

RASATHANE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY PARK is envisioned as a mix of university long-term research and advancement of knowledge transfer to application to end-users – a place to engender innovation for the 21st Century. The campus is designed to be simultaneously romantic and high-tech and be a center for advanced multi-disciplinary research for the regional Life Sciences and Earth Sciences communities. This new campus plan in the Üsküdar Rasathane peak unites the ongoing pursuits and goals of Boğaziçi University and Istanbul Greater Municipality’s aspiration to revitalize the urban cores and be host to knowledge centric regional economy.

The master plan for the 300,000+ m2 campus calls for a multiple phased full build-out of 30,000 m2 of project based research, laboratories, learning areas, communication areas, social life, visitor areas, cultural activities and open-natural space. The plan for RBTM combines an intricate play between urban design, architecture and complex programmatic requirements of specialized advanced research and social-life. The designing a new advanced science center hub along the Bosphorus in Istanbul meant a precise notion for the facilities of a global research hub that could simultaneously work as a dynamic urban design concept and become an inspiring architectural expression. As formulated by BU’s scientific community the design realization would be:

• Inspired by the natural and historical setting of the Bosphorus.
• Be a distinguished contemporary experience landmark in regional for advanced research;
• Become the role-model of human developments that harmonize with the natural world.

The master plan’s organization and fluid geometry is derived from a formal dialogue between the earth’s contours, the
geodesic science’s orbital geometry (a branch of applied mathematics and earth sciences), and defi nition of conscise visual and circulation axis with nodes at critical intersections and entry points. The notion of a 21st Century landmark is the
memorable experience of an elegant immersive landscape with a unique ecology, sublte contemporary architecture and
historic civic life. Our role was to lead the master plan design and integrate an in-depth consensus of the campus stakeholder
groups for advanced research in Life and Earth sciences. The scientists were also committed to an architectural approach that
gave continuity to the Bosphorus’ unique architectural heritage – grounded in its past and leading the future. We extended
this concept to include the rather unique landscape design heritage of civic structures on the Boshporus, inspired by the
elegant cedars and stoic presence of the campus’ Rasathane monument. The design of a unique experience is intended to
nourished the creative mind and put in harmony the built and un-built. BU hopes these values and campus design could
attract leading minds in advanced research from around the world and establish the campus as a center of excellence -- a
global hub of knowledge creation -- science in the service of society.
The master plan and phase one construction documents was completed over an 8 month period and included more than 20 stakeholder meetings that guided a consensus based approach. The report includes an extensive spatial/social analysis, master plan organization, site circulation, transportation services, architectural guidelines, pre-architecture for 10,000 m2 footprint and full architectural services for a 12,000 m2 science center. Total property 300,000+ m2, 110,000 m2 master plan and 15% footprint pre-architecture design.