New telecommunication tower seeks a sense of motion and rhythm within its silhouette that changes when viewed from different directions around Istanbul.
▏A Dynamic Landmark Above Istanbul
Designed by MAA – Melike Altınışık Architects, Çamlıca Tower is a 369-metre-tall telecommunications tower that has become one of Istanbul’s most recognizable contemporary landmarks. Rising above the city’s skyline, the tower was conceived as more than a piece of infrastructure; its sculptural form creates a sense of motion and rhythm that continuously changes when viewed from different locations across Istanbul. The project reflects the city’s ambition to combine technological advancement with a bold architectural identity.
▏Beyond Infrastructure: Architecture Shaped by Culture and Landscape
The tower is not simply a vertical structure but a symbolic expression of communication, culture, and urban identity. Influenced by Istanbul’s topography, prevailing wind patterns, and surrounding landscape, the design adopts an organic form rarely seen within the city’s traditional urban fabric. Rather than appearing as a rigid object, Çamlıca Tower presents a fluid silhouette that responds to its environment while acting as a visual statement for a rapidly evolving metropolis. Through this synthesis of engineering, architecture, and cultural symbolism, the tower has emerged as a contemporary icon for Istanbul and its future.
▏Combine Elegance and Beauty with Math and Geometry
Its architectural formations combine elegance and beauty with math and geometry], whose innovative concept allows inhabitable spaces to be attached to the whole of the tower’s core. [In this unique tower which requires advanced engineering techniques both in terms of architectural design and construction methodology, all the design features, architectural planning, and material selections were made considering these processes. While wind testing was employed to confirm the monumental structure’s overall stability, it was also used to develop the unique facade design and optimize how the load of the building envelope would act on the concrete core. The engineered facade not only provides structural optimization but allows for inhabitable space to radiate around the tower’s central concrete core.
▏A Building that Turns into a Space of Dialogue and Exploration
The telecommunication tower will house a two-story 4360-view restaurant and observation deck overlooking views of Istanbul, from Asia to Europe. There is also a public foyer, café, exhibition, and mediatic areas inside the entrance podium]. [Interior design was developed since the building includes unique spaces that offer a new experience and contain futuristic design characters]. [Panorama Elevators will rise on both sides of the building as elements that feed and divide the monolithic body. They will be able to watch Istanbul from the observation and restaurant floors located 400m above sea level.
▏Create Surprising Encounters
The main purpose is to [create surprising encounters] by establishing strong relationships with where it is located, using light, nature, and spatial spaces; so that it may change people’s perspective, and encourage them to think differently. The new landmark structure completed its construction process and started its main telecommunication functions in November 2020. Istanbul TV and Radio Tower opened its doors to public use in May 2021 and since then it has welcomed visitors from all over the world.
