Istanbul's new cultural centre – home to the performing arts
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Renewing pride: located right on Istanbul's Taksim Square, a central transportation hub and popular tourist spot on the European side of the Bosporus, the Ataturk Cultural Centre (AKM) used to be the pride of the Turkish Republic. It had been left to decay since 2008, but will finally get a makeover -
A world-class venue: at the Architektur Galerie Berlin, architect Murat Tabanlioglu presented his model of the new AKM. A revived cultural icon for Istanbul, the venue's architecture and acoustics aim to attract world-class artists -
From father to son: the original AKM was designed by Murat Tabanioglu's father, Hayati Tabanlioglu. It opened in 1969 with a performance of Verdi's Aida. At the time, it was the fourth-largest opera house in the world. It had to close for renovations after a fire in 1970 and reopened in 1978 before it was shuttered in 2008 and essentially became derelict -
A retro touch: the new AKM will integrate into its architectural concept some of the features of its predecessor such as the lamps, tiles, or an aluminium staircase typical of the 1960s. Tabanlioglu however aims to bring the space into the 21st century -
A home for the State Opera: the former AKM housed the Turkish State Opera and Ballet as well as the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra before it closed its doors in 2008. These high art institutions will return to become the new main hosts of the venue, explained Tabanglioglu -
A symbol of the Republic: the aesthetically controversial AKM, often compared to a concrete block, was once one of the most modern buildings in the Turkish Republic and symbolised the country's western orientation. Citizens' initiatives and the Chamber of Architects therefore criticised its demolition. Tabanlioglu's design will allow it to be restored instead -
Great expectations: "It should become one of the best opera houses in the world," says Murat Tabanlioglu. His architectural signed impressive designs in the past, such as the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and the Dakar Congress Centre