Located in Istanbul’s Etiler district, Mandarin Oriental Residences Etiler is a mixed-use development composed of three towers rising to approximately 170 metres across 35 floors. The scheme integrates a 144-key Mandarin Oriental hotel with 62 branded residences, forming a vertically layered environment that combines hospitality and private living. The exterior architecture, designed by UNStudio, is defined by fluid, organic forms and a system of terraces that maximise views towards the Bosphorus while supporting natural ventilation and environmental performance.
In a city historically positioned as a gateway between Europe and the Middle East, the project draws on Istanbul’s role as the final point along the Silk Road. Rather than adopting literal references, FM Architettura approaches this context through abstraction, using it as a conceptual foundation for a contemporary reinterpretation of the caravanserai—those historic places of refuge, exchange, and cultural convergence. The intention is not to recreate history, but to translate its underlying principles into a modern condition of living and hospitality.
This approach is evident in the way cultural references are embedded within the project. Ottoman motifs, including the Cintamani symbol, are integrated into surfaces, furnishings, and spatial details as subtle layers of meaning rather than decorative gestures. Materials are selected for their authenticity and sensory depth—precious fabrics, brushed brass, and woods contribute to an atmosphere that is both tactile and emotionally resonant. Traditional craft informs the process, ensuring that the interiors maintain a connection to local artisanal heritage while remaining aligned with a contemporary architectural language. In this context, authenticity is constructed through interpretation, not imitation.
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