The flower is a significant element of literature, art, and culture in Türkiye. It has been a part of daily life, folklore, and lifestyle for centuries. Albeit relatively unknown, Türkiye has a fascinating history of flower trade; tulips were originally sent to Europe in the early 17th century giving rise to the Dutch “tulip mania.” Recently, the City of Istanbul aims to gain its fame back in the European flower market, hence dedicating a 300000 m2 site for a new Flower Market Complex. HET Landscape and Urban Design and CA Landscape Design work together to create an invigorating floricultural and flower cultivation complex for Istanbul. 

Traditional Turkish decorative motifs have distinctive individuality. Intricate intertwining floral vines and flowers are representative of classical Ottoman style textile embroidery and ceramics; thus, the design process starts with the study of their patterns. The design motif is inspired by Turkish tulips, which has elegant curvilinear and slender form in comparison to typical round-shaped tulips. The basic structure of the master plan takes this design motif of connecting lines to a network. Jagged edges on leaves and flowers turn into paving and planting patterns. Curvilinear landscape and diverse floral patterned design create dynamic topography such as hills and valleys. Such topography will enrich the site and the surrounding by generating amphitheater, cascade, playground, step garden, and flower wall for visitors. The new Flower Market is not an area solely for selling and buying flowers but is a new platform of floriculture in Istanbul by offering dynamic and diverse activities for buyers, and visitors through cultivation, exhibition, and events. The proposed programs will stimulate the market to become a new gateway for the cut flower industry and floriculture in Türkiye.

Patterns in literature, art, textile, pottery, and traditional gardens inspire us.  Landscape allegory helps us create new stories for nowadays’ urban spaces.  This rich context overlaid on the site content and targeted ecological processes yields exciting design undertakings. The site is no longer a derelict land but a hub of cultural exchange and productivity.