SSM Concert Hall Istanbul Building, Turkish Music Venue Design, Property Images

SSM Concert Hall, Istanbul, Turkey

Sakip Sabanci Museum Concert Hall Building design by Nevzat Sayin, NSMH

4 Jan 2010

SSM Concert Hall Istanbul

SSM Concert Hall – Sakip Sabanci Museum Campus, Istanbul

Design: Nevzat Sayin, NSMH

The Bosphorus in Istanbul, which expresses most sharply the divide between Asia and Europe, is one of the places that must be preserved unchanged with the boats both large and small that go through it and the fabric that surrounds it. In fact, its surroundings should be slightly weeded out, thinned down, cleaned up. For this reason, it would be best if buildings to be constructed in this area be, to the greatest extent possible, composed, set back, and almost invisible.

Therefore, when Nevzat Sayin, NSMH started working on a ‘concert hall for chamber orchestra’ in this area, to be located on a museum campus situated almost immediately on the shore of the Bosphorus, they knew that they had to design an invisible building. It should not be seen unless pointed out, mentioned, or visited: They decided to build a structure underground.

SSM Concert Hall construction photos:

Nevzat Sayin, NSMH were willing to be squeezed among the roots of the precious existing trees, the foundations of the old house, and the walls and terrace which they wished to preserve as is. The place they were trying to define was one about which they would not have the slightest idea unless they entered it; as the earth and rocks were being removed, the structure, made almost entirely out of steel, was being manufactured in a workshop. By the time manufacturing was completed the place was ready. The structure was assembled on site like a boat. The architects had used time twice and reduced the duration of completion.

Old stone walls greet you upon entering the campus; through an opening in these walls you enter the lower foyer; an unexpected place. Reached via this space with a curvilinear ‘thing’ painted the yellow of construction machinery is the upper foyer, a narrow, elongated space parallel to the Bosphorus. A ‘place’ that is there to accentuate the Bosphorus rather than itself: The outdoor terrace in front of it gives you all the clues as to where you are; you are right next to the Bosphorus.

The yellow of construction machinery in the lower foyer is also present here and the shape complements that of the lower foyer. Whereas actually, when you enter through the yellow door, the shiny black multifaceted concave ellipsoid exaggeratedly reflects all the colors that enter it with unexpected surprises.

There is nothing more inside than what is necessary and compulsory. What is provided is a chamber orchestra hall seating 300, with its inner shell composed of acoustic panels, a floor whose inclination can be adjusted and if need be leveled out, the truss on which the necessary equipment can be hung, and a stage that can be expanded according to the size of the orchestra.

The trees, old house, terrace and walls remain in there original positions. And passing through all this, at the end of a journey during which one draws away step by step from the outside world in order to access the place where one can listen to music, one finally reach the seats awaiting us, each different from the other, within a shiny black space. When the lights dim and the music starts nothing remains but the music, its executants, and their reflections.

Nevzat Sayin

SSM Concert Hall (The Seed) – Building Information

Architect: Nsmh / Nevzat Sayin
Project Team: Umut Durmus, Nesli Kayali, Fatma Olgac, Ahmet Korfali, Sinem Cerrah

Location: Istanbul / Turkey
Structural Engineer: Arce / Necati Celtikci
Electrical Engineer: Enkom / Belgin Merey
Mechanical Engineer: Okutan Muhendislik
Acoustical Engineer: Team Fores / Turker Talayman
Client: Sakip Sabanci Museum
Contractor Onder Insaat
Project Area: 2000sqm
Project Year: 2007
Construction Year: 2008-09

Photographs: Cemal Emden, Nsmh

Sakip Sabanci Museum Concert Hall images / information from NSMH

Location: Istanbul, Turkey