Taking Üsküdar
Urban Strategy, 2020
Istanbul, Turkey
Design: ZHANG Jie, YANG Chen, DU Weiwei
Special Thanks: FAN Pinyue, Kent MUNDLE
For the Commemorating Mimar Sinan Competition
Rather than erecting monuments or simply adding a "space of remembrance" to the city, this project offers a different approach to commemorating Sinan and his works. It reimagines existing historical elements, allowing the historic city itself to serve as the commemoration. Instead of merely reflecting on the area's glorious past, we aim to transform that past into a catalyst for future rejuvenation.
The fictional proposed Sinan Architecture & Art Exhibition (SAAE) would be an international event showcasing architecture and contemporary art inspired by historical themes. Set against the backdrop of the three iconic buildings within the Sinan Triangle, the exhibition would temporarily transform Üsküdar’s busiest transportation hub over the course of two months.
A series of activities would engage a diverse range of participants, from professionals to local citizens and tourists, encouraging them to explore the area's fountains, shrines, and Ottoman remnants. Additionally, the project considers transportation, aiming to resolve any conflicts between the exhibition and the daily flow of traffic.
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About
The Lab
Founded in 2019, ReBuild Lab focus on urban spaces and everyday constructions.
Outstanding Proposal (2023, China)Zhoushan Hello Islands Installation Competition
Honorable Mention (2023, Italy)
Reuse Italy Competition
Honorable Mention (2022, Estonia)
Tallinn Architecture Biennale-Vision Competition
Shortlist Nomination (2021, USA)
Ann Arbor Art Center-Alley Project
First Place (2020, UK)
Bubble Future Competition
Second Place (2019, India)
Archasm Competition
Members
ZHANG Jie / 张婕is a spatial designer and artist based in Shanghai. She trained as an architect at Huaqiao University and the University of Hong Kong from 2013 to 2020. Since relocating to Shanghai in 2020, she has focused on small-scale installations and spatial design, while continuously providing commercial interior design services for retail companies and government projects.
YANG Chen / 杨晨 is an architectural designer and illustrator based in Florence. He studied architecture at Huaqiao University (2013-2018) and Politecnico di Torino (2019-2021), and has worked at WNA Architects in Torino and ACE Srl. in Florence.
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