RMJM Milano have won a competition to design the new Sanko Headquarters, one of Turkey’s oldest group of companies. Their landmark design was selected among other prestigious firms for its sustainable and innovative features. The studio uses creative and innovative ways to implement sustainability in every design and project they create. It was thus crucial to utilise the local resources in the best sustainable and innovative way possible.
“For us, it was important to find inspiration in the local scenery and we found it in the magnificent caves of Cappadocia. The whole idea for the building was to resemble a monolith carved out and rising from the earth”,says Luca Aldrighi, Director at RMJM Milano.
Render by Eugene Malyi
The volume was stretched and modelled to create a dialogue with the surrounding area. The form along with the fenestrations appears to be shaped by the forces of nature. The central void extends from the ground up to the roof of the building for an implosion of light. Each floor, from the upper floors right down to the auditorium, hosts different greens, which improve the quality of the ambient air. Whereas the outside greenery contrasts solar radiation, making the inside of the building cooler and allowing for a reduced need for air conditioning. The building consists mainly of offices and meeting rooms, an auditorium and a restaurant on the lower floors. The service and parking spaces include an innovative system that stores rainwater to be re-used for watering the greens on each floor and other non-potable use. While the domestic grey water is recycled for toilet flushing and irrigation, reducing pollution of the local water body. The natural light coming in from the void illuminates the atrium, and together with the PV panels allow for reduced use of electricity, most of which is renewable.
With this sustainability-focused design, Sanko and RMJM Milano show a willingness to make a positive impact on Istanbul’s landscape. The landmark building’s construction is due to be finished by 2023.
About RMJM
Founded by Sir Robert Matthew and Stirrat Johnson-Marshall in 1956, RMJM Group is one of the largest, most geographically and culturally diverse architecture firms in the world. With studios across five continents, the RMJM family can share knowledge, expertise and design talent, enabling them to think quicker and act faster. Working stronger together, they are global enough to make a difference while still being local enough to be personal. Through their shared vision of success, RMJM has spent more than 60 years creating a legacy of world-class design.
