Hamamyolu Urban Deck: a new heartbeat for the heart of Eskişehir

Rebirth of a historic center

The idea behind the Hamamyolu Urban Deck is as simple as it is ambitious: to regenerate Hamamyolu Street by interpreting its socio-cultural and historical identity, reintegrating it into city life. This project by Yazgan Design Architecture Inc. aims to harness the potential of this street as a city center, transforming it into a vibrant urban element that becomes an integral part of daily life. The benefit is twofold: an economic revival for local merchants and an increase in social interaction between residents and visitors. A successful design of outdoor spaces.

An innovative urban axis

The project is structured in various layers that create unique connections with the city. The most significant is a macroscopic connection that reconnects the northern and southern parts of the city through a continuous pedestrian street. This pedestrian path, 1.2 km long, is enriched by a linear LED light beam 2 cm wide that runs through the center, with handmade glass incorporated into the white concrete, creating an extraordinary visual effect.

Tribute to Glass Production

The Odunpazarı neighborhood is renowned for its glass production workshops, where this ancient tradition is still alive. The Hamamyolu Urban Deck pays tribute to this tradition by incorporating 22,000 pieces of handmade glass into the ground of the pedestrian pathway. This combination of materials not only creates a unique aesthetic effect but also supports the local economy through a new use of glass.

What makes this space special?

Lighting and Urban Greenery

The linear LED light beam is not just a decorative element, but emphasizes the continuity of the urban axis, making it visible even at night. The pathway is shaped to respect the existing trees, integrating nature into the urban design. Cafés with steps that double as multifunctional amphitheaters have been created along the pathway, each with a unique concept that invites socialization and relaxation.

Playful and Relaxing Spaces

One of the most appreciated features of the project is the creation of a fun and inclusive environment. Various play areas, such as trampolines and stone pools, offer recreational spaces for children and adults. But the entire urban bridge itself becomes a three-dimensional playground, where play merges with the natural flow of daily life.

Water Elements and Historical References

Water, a historically significant element, is used in various ways in the project. Three types of pools with different shapes and sizes - bowl-shaped pigeon pools, stone pools, and a steam pool - enrich the sensory experience of the pathway. The steam pool, in particular, is positioned to evoke the historical Turkish bath area Hamam, from which the project takes its name.

The open-air art museum

In the middle of the bridge-passage, there is a free multi-purpose art museum, open on two sides, which establishes an important cultural connection with the city. This exhibition space showcases wooden sculptures, glass works, and ceramics produced in the Odunpazarı workshops, creating a link between art, production, and daily life.