KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Housing Project Changes the Perspective on Social Housing
Silivri 4th Stage Housing Project which is undertaken by KİPTAŞ (İstanbul Konut İmar Plan Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.), an Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) organization working for the construction of residences in different districts of Istanbul that are aesthetic, livable and affordable to all income groups, is based on the idea that everyone has the right to a good life and quality housing.
KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Housing Project is taking place in Silivri, a district of Istanbul located on the Marmara Sea coast, 67 kilometers west of the city center. The project covering an area of 95,318 square meters is comprised of 1396 residences as well as social facilities and a vast landscape area.
Participatory Design Approach
Based on an understanding that "everyone has the right to a good life", the project adopted a participatory design perspective and was developed by taking into account the ideas and views of the users from the outset. The results of the surveys conducted played an important role in guiding the decisions about design and financial models.
Thus, a functional and environmentally oriented design approach was adopted by analyzing the needs accurately. Accordingly, social, commercial and green areas were assembled in a high-quality living environment.
Thanks to the alternative financial model with convenient payment options which brought together these quality residences with non-homeowners of Istanbul, social housing standards have been raised to a higher level.
The Accessible Housing Project, Integrated with the City
The settlement plan, social facilities and circulation network of the KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Social Housing, which is encircled by the E84 and D100 highways and located on the parcel adjacent to KİPTAŞ Silivri 3rd Stage Housing, was designed for integration with the city.
The topography of the building plot was assessed as a significant variable shaping the design. While the buildings are placed on the slope in harmony with each other, the area with the least slope is reserved for the landscape and transformed into a green valley that feeds the project. The two sides of the valley are connected by pedestrian roads which lead to the social spaces. In this slope, "accessibility for everyone" is ensured through an alternative circulation plan supported with stairs and ramps designed for the disabled, elderly and children.
In contrast to the gated communities which are disconnected from the city with their walls and controlled gates, Silivri 4th Stage Social Housing project is based on an approach of integration with the city. In the project, the neighborhood texture is maintained through the uninterrupted continuation of the existing pedestrian and vehicle axes of the city in the housing area.
More Public Space in the City
In this project which aims to construct not only a residential area but also a public space to be integrated to the city, the commercial units and social facilities located on the ground floors of the residential blocks merge with green areas to strengthen the fabric of the neighborhood. An organic street texture is achieved through the terraces created on the higher levels and the changing and dynamic silhouette of the residential blocks.
The recreation areas which constitute more than 40% of KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Social Housing Project were designed with a modern approach to landscape. Besides the recreational, play and sports areas, the connection with the green is maintained through the capacious scenic balconies which every flat has.
Large Balconies
KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Social Housing is also unique in terms of the modern architectural language it adopts. It offers the users and the city practical and original flats that address contemporary and future needs. It consists of 1.396 flats in 32 blocks with three different types: 2 + 1 apartments with open or closed kitchens and 3 + 1 apartments. The flat types were individuated with the colors used on the façades and the dynamic balcony designs. For each residence, a 5 square meter balcony was designed. The two types of balconies were positioned on the façade in an asymmetrical order rather than linear to produce the effect of dynamic façades. Nowadays when the value of access to fresh air and socializing in the city has increased as a result of the global pandemic, KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Social Housing which was designed prior to the pandemic responds to the needs of the present and the future with its large balconies. In addition to the dynamic rhythm of the balconies, different colors were used on the residential blocks to prevent monotony and strengthen the sense of a neighborhood and the residents’ connection with the city.
KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Social Housing which prioritizes criteria such as health, security and hygiene is built using first class materials with high construction quality.
The Project, which is based on an understanding that "everyone has the right to a good life" and a participatory design approach, offers a socially sustainable project model for municipalities aiming to offer quality residences catered to the needs of the users with convenient payment options.
To summarize, KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Social Housing, with its settlement plan, facilities and circulation network aims at integrating with the city rather than being an isolated gated community. With its 40% recreational area, it further aims to offer the city and its inhabitants the access to green areas as well as practical, original and safe flats designed with a modern architectural language. With all these qualities KİPTAŞ Silivri 4th Stage Social Housing raises social housing standards to a higher level.