Kanyon Mall

Kanyon Mall, Istanbul

Kanyon is a modern shopping mall in Istanbul, Turkey. It has several international food and fashion stores as well as Turkish brands. Some brands entered the Turkish market for the first time in Kanyon (the first Haagen Dazs shop in Istanbul can be found in this mall)..

The shape of the mall is modeled to look like a canyon. It is an open air mall.

..The design of this mixed development that will feature a dramatic ‘canyon’ flowing through the complex to create a new shopping experience.

The project comprises multi-level basement parking, links to the city metro system, a retail centre including shops and restaurants, entertainment centre, exclusive private accommodation, and a 27-storey office tower.

Architect's vision

The Kanyon is dominated by the curved face of a tower that creates an iconic silhouette on the Istanbul skyline.

The concept architect, Jerde Partnership, envisioned an entertainment sphere that contrasts with curving retail terraces to create a different kind of environment, where people can walk along a sidewalk that is partially open to the elements. From the office Plaza at the development's boulevard the canyon gently curves into the distance.

The entertainment centre, which houses the cinemas and a small part of the retail development, posed a particular challenge. The half inverted sphere has a very small footprint from which the structure expands outwards as it goes up.

Its unusual geometry meant lightweight construction was used for all elements of the building. A full height perimeter triangulated tubular steel lattice frame was used for maximum stiffness and wall panels were added to counterbalance the effects of the cantilever opposite.

Internally, two substantial inverted L shaped brace frames add lateral stiffness to the structure. The diagnols of these frames are arranged to fit around corridors and doorways inside the building..