Redcrescent Social & Commercial Building

In 1980, after the heedless and hurried demolition of the old Redcrescent Building within one night, an architectural competition for a new building was immediately issued.

Eventough more than 30 years have passed since the winning of the competition, followed by its construction and finally its inauguration, the unique design content of the building has not been obsolete.

The main theme in the design of this landmark building was determined by the pedestrian axis, passing through the old Kızılay Garden. Accordingly, the ground floor was drawn back leaving most of the building lot to the citizens, to be used as an accustomed pedestrian path and a meeting spot within the urban conglomeration.

Eventough it was designed as a commercial income building for the Redcrescent, a seperate, small attachment was also designed at the public open space in front, to be used as a blood donation center and the central administrative offices of the organization. Unfortunately the building recently started its life as a shopping mall befitting the fashion of the times. The functions of both the frontal small building and the exhibition-meeting halls at the upper floor were altered, removed, and replaced by food courts.

Nowadays, watching the invasion of the open air pedestrian area on the ground floor by additional structures is regrettably sad to witness.