Terminal Kadıköy: Life Under the Viaduct

Beneath the Söğütlüçeşme Railway viaduct in Kadıköy, Istanbul, Tabanlıoğlu Architects transformed a long-overlooked urban void into a dynamic civic hub. Once dominated by transit flows and residual infrastructure, the site now reconnects fragmented streets and public spaces, restoring Kadıköy’s identity as a multicultural, social, and recreational district.

Historically, Kadıköy flourished as a lively waterfront and meeting point, but infrastructure-led urbanisation in the 20th century fragmented these spaces. Terminal Kadıköy responded to this history by reimagining the viaduct as an active urban spine. Modular steel scaffolding supports one- and two-storey volumes that accommodate shops, studios, galleries, food stalls, marketplaces, and cultural venues, arranged around existing trees to preserve green assets and enhance microclimatic comfort. Carefully designed walkways, open plazas, and shaded areas create an inviting environment that encourages both everyday use and spontaneous gatherings.

Covering approximately 27,700 m², the project hosts 19 restaurants, 27 street-food kiosks, 24 retail units, and the Paribu Art Center, a 2,500-capacity performance venue with flexible seating and a black-box configuration. The central food hall acts as a social and cultural axis, lined with 24 kiosks representing cuisines from seven continents, fostering both everyday interaction and culinary training. Narrow passages, varied heights, and open plazas evoke the vibrancy of Kadıköy’s street culture, creating a porous and engaging public realm.

Sustainability was central to the design. Modular construction reduces waste, landscape-led cooling strategies mitigate heat-island effects, and energy-efficient lighting and natural ventilation support reduced operational consumption. Shaded walkways, seating clusters, and intuitive circulation prioritise comfort and accessibility for commuters, residents, students, and visitors alike.

By reclaiming overlooked infrastructure, Terminal Kadıköy demonstrates how urban design can transform a transit-dominated space into a flexible civic ecosystem. It restores pedestrian continuity, nurtures cultural life, and revives Kadıköy’s recreational spirit, creating a public realm that supports everyday rituals, spontaneous encounters, and large-scale events, firmly rooting contemporary urban life in the district’s unique identity.