Boytorun Architects Reaches WAF Awards Finals with Aurum Office Project

Boytorun Architects has achieved finalist status at the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards with the Aurum Office Building in the "Office Projects" category. The jury noted as a key qualification the fact that the Aurum Office Building, designed as a mixed-use structure based on office functions in the Bağcılar district, was designed to contribute to the social and economic transformation of its surroundings. The "Aurum Office Building" designed by Boytorun Architects in Istanbul's Bağcılar district achieved finalist status at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards to be held at Berlin Arena between 15–17 November 2017. In the awards, to which numerous architects from virtually every country in the world have applied, finalist projects will compete before the jury for first place in 30 subcategories under the main categories of "Building", "Project" and "Landscape".

At the festival's grand final on the last day, projects selected as category winners will compete for the "Building of the Year", "Project of the Year", "Landscape Design of the Year" and "Small-Scale Building of the Year" awards.

In designing the "Aurum Office Building", which places adding value to the surrounding area among its priority criteria, Boytorun Architects incorporated commercial strips along the pedestrian pathway, aiming to invigorate the social and economic life of the Bağcılar district. The inner courtyard, created to wrap around trees located three metres below road level, enables green space to be perceived from street level, creating an inviting plaza design. The trees, which form the focal point of the inner courtyard, are positioned at the centre of the sports hall located at level -3. A running track placed around the green area wrapped by the trees provides a natural environment for sports. In the green area designed to respond to the district's needs, a yoga centre, library, restaurants and cafés have been designed. The ground and basement floors of the structure function as social and cultural activity areas, while the above-ground floors function as offices. Through the movement captured on the façade, the aim was for the building to stand apart from the surrounding structures and create a focal point in the district. This perception is reinforced by the sense of height created through vertical elements on the façade. However, at the ninth floor, this vertical effect is divided by a horizontal band created in the opposite direction, transforming it into a green floor offered to building users. Through the same approach applied to the roof, a green space composition has been designed that is felt from the basement floor to the highest point of the building. The roof offers rest areas and restaurants for office users.