The Istanbul Veli Efendi

Zeytinburnu | Istanbul, 2014
Landscape Design and Application

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 waterfront. The project is situated next to Veliefendi Hippodrome, the city’s only horse-racing track, and is just a few minutes away from two of Istanbul’s major ring roads. This strategic location provides convenient access to all parts of the city.

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

Approximately 80% of the landscape project area is located within the narrow inner courtyard corridor formed between the site boundary and the layout of the buildings. One of the project’s key design constraints was the limited soil depth, as the entire landscape is positioned above the basement parking structure. With a soil layer ranging from only 30 to 50 cm in depth, the design required carefully considered and technically feasible landscape solutions.

The client’s brief included a large-scale pond, vehicular access routes, 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 configuration facilitates both construction and long-term maintenance, while also simplifying the implementation and operation of the proposed bridges. At the same time, an eight-part recreational walking route was designed as a continuous spatial experience, creating a cohesive relationship between the different sections of the landscape.

Two of these sections were developed as biological ponds, where water is naturally treated through aquatic planting systems. These areas were also designed to support the cultivation of aquatic plants. The remaining six sections were designed and implemented as two-tiered reflection pools, providing safe and accessible water features for children while contributing to the overall recreational character of the landscape.