About Hara
Hara is a space for contemporary art and culture that celebrates creativity and innovative thinking through exhibitions, performances, concerts, and events.
About Hara’s Architecture
Design Team: Ertan Ergöçmen, Özgür Karasu, Cengiz Kurt
Architectural Project Team: Bucan Arslan, Sevil Korkmaz, Erman Daymen
Contractor: Cengiz Kurt Architecture
Structural Project: Yapı Akademisi
Landscape Design: Ermanno Casasco
Interior Design: Cengiz Kurt Architecture
Nestled among the northwestern forests of Istanbul, Hara stands with its back to the karayel (northwesterly) and yıldız (northerly) winds. Hara consists of two minimally designed buildings — a residential unit and an art space — that mirror one another but function independently.
The two volumes and a pavilion placed around a large water feature open onto a forest-facing courtyard, where outdoor activities can be hosted.
The structure features expansive open spaces, solid volumes made from exposed, untreated concrete and a minimal use of corten steel to guide orientation. The arrangement of structural elements allows light to enter through the central courtyard and controlled openings in the roof. This setup allows for more exhibition space indoors while enabling the observation of exhibitions/performances from the central area and other parts of the site. The lower floor contains varied spaces of different sizes and purposes arranged around an inner garden and skylight. These are supported by an artist studio, café, library, and other service areas.
In the gallery entrance, corten steel panels can be moved to control lighting and create dark enclosed spaces as required. The stairs connecting the upper and lower floors do not touch the walls, creating a greater sense of space and allowing uninterrupted visibility across all areas. Vertical fabric elements descend from the gallery ceiling to divide space, control acoustics, or reduce volume. A connecting bridge on the upper floor serves as a viewing balcony for exhibitions, performances, or concerts.
The residential unit echoes the open, non-partitioned layout of the cultural space, with rooms that can be separated when needed but remain visually connected.
“Sustainability” is embodied in the multi-functionality of the space, fostering cultural dialogue.
