THE Istanbul Veli Efendi

Istanbul Veliefendi Residences

Istanbul Veliefendi Residences is a luxury mixed-use development comprising residential blocks and a shopping center, located adjacent to Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula and approximately 1 km from the Zeytinburnu coastline. The project is situated next to Veliefendi Hippodrome, the city’s only horse-racing track, and is also just a few minutes away from two of Istanbul’s major ring roads. This strategic location provides convenient access to virtually every part of the city.

When Betula was commissioned to provide landscape design services as part of The Istanbul Landscape Project, the team analyzed the site through a range of approaches, focusing on feasibility, innovation, and sustainability.

Approximately 80% of the landscape project area is situated between the property boundary and a narrow internal courtyard corridor created by the configuration of the buildings. One of the project’s most significant design constraints was the limited soil depth available, as the entire landscape is positioned above an underground parking structure. The design therefore had to be developed within a soil profile of only 30–50 cm.

The client’s brief included a number of demanding requirements: a large-scale pond, vehicular access roads, pedestrian and cycling paths with an integrated circulation network, children’s play areas, sports facilities, and recreational spaces.

The project’s principal water feature consists of a series of water bridges and crossings that divide the pond into eight distinct sections. This approach facilitates both the construction and maintenance of the pond, while also simplifying the implementation and operation of the proposed bridges.

At the same time, an eight-part recreational walking route was designed to create a cohesive spatial experience throughout the landscape. Two of these sections were developed as biological pond systems, in which water is naturally filtered through aquatic planting. These areas were specifically designed to support aquatic plant cultivation as well as natural water purification.

The remaining six sections were designed and constructed as two-level reflection pools, creating a safe and controlled water environment for children while contributing to the overall visual character of the landscape.

The resulting landscape integrates water, circulation, recreation, and planting within a constrained podium environment, demonstrating how carefully considered design strategies can transform a technically challenging site into a functional and sustainable residential landscape.