The Valens Archway, an aqueduct in Istanbul built at the end of the 4th century by the Roman Emperor Valens, provided the city with water during the middle century. Today, however, the remaining section of the archway is nothing more than a forgotten landmark in the busy and historic Istanbul district of Fatih.
But it may not be forgotten for long, as Superspace, a Turkish architecture studio, has plans to transform the over 3000-foot-long structure into a recreational and residential space.
According to designboom.com, the proposal suggests building a vertical wooden grid above the archways that would serve as a linear underlay for wooden housing modules suspended above the walkway. Each volume of wooden housing units would be clad in a heat-treated wooden façade. The wood houses and the old stonework of the aqueduct would create a dichotomy of old and new, hard and soft, and heavy and light, the architects say.
The goal of the project is to generate “an alternate elevated life, keeping tabs on the city, instead of just being watched,” Superspace writes of the project on the studio’s website.
Rendering courtesy of Superspace.
Rendering courtesy of Superspace.
Rendering courtesy of Superspace.
Rendering courtesy of Superspace.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Dec 12, 2016
BIG’s first residential condominium in the U.S. completed in Miami
Two 20-story twisting towers comprise 98 units on a three-acre site near Biscayne Bay.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 1, 2016
One of Canada’s largest media companies dives into real estate development
Rogers moves forward on M City, a multi-building, multi-year project in a Toronto suburb.
Multifamily Housing | Nov 28, 2016
Axiometrics predicts apartment deliveries will peak by mid 2017
New York is projected to lead the nation next year, thanks to construction delays in 2016
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Nov 11, 2016
Value engineering brings Santa Barbara apartments back on track
When framing estimates for a new apartment complex in Rialto, California, came in too high, a savvy developer decided to have the project value engineered. A switch to glulam and wood-framed shear walls got the project back in the black.
Adaptive Reuse | Nov 9, 2016
Middle school transformed into affordable housing for seniors
The project received $3.8 million in public financing in exchange for constructing units for residents earning less than 60 percent of the area’s median income.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 28, 2016
Aston Martin is making a foray into real estate in Miami
The British automaker will partner with G and G Business Developments on the waterfront project.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 25, 2016
The Beacon will become the most sustainable residential tower in the world
Lumiere Developments says the building will generate enough energy to offer residents ‘Free Energy For Life.’
High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016
Construction on the tallest residential tower in western Europe could start early next year
China’s Greenland Group is the developer of four of the world’s 10 largest skyscrapers
High-rise Construction | Sep 6, 2016
Peddle Thorp Architects' solar-powered Melbourne high-rise looks to go off the grid
The skyscraper would be the first in Australia to incorporate solar cells in its façade.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 17, 2016
A new research platform launches for a data-deprived multifamily sector
The list of leading developers, owners, and property managers that are funding the NMHC Research Foundation speaks to the information gap it hopes to fill.
