Like all large-scale architectural projects, one of the studio’s recent commissions will require several years to complete. Our client asked us to propose a way to barricade the site for the duration of the construction process. At the time, we had recently completed a freestanding wall made of stacked QuaDror structures. I saw this as an opportunity to translate the design for this particular location: a 1.2-kilometer stretch of boardwalk along the bosphorus in Istanbul.
We wanted to create a simple, playful structure that could accommodate the entire length of the site. Instead of creating an unsightly void that interrupts the urban fabric, the barrier needed to enhance its surroundings, much like a public art installation.
The Galata Wall utilizes stacked QuaDror structures made from sheets of colored acrylic, where each building block is presented in one of several different hues. The transparent material allows residents to observe the building progress. When arranged in this manner, the QuaDror elements form a faceted surface: a strong, protective barrier that can be easily re-arranged, de-installed, or flat-packed for transport.