AKBANK LIFE CENTER
Described by architect Cem İlhan of TECE Architecture as "a project that tries not to turn into a conventional building," the Akbank Academy Life Centre integrates its dense architectural layout beneath a green landscape, adding significant value to the surrounding environment. The project conceals key functional spaces—including a fitness centre, conference and exhibition halls, shared meeting rooms, a mini-bazaar, and cafeteria areas—under an elevated green plateau. Despite this concentrated planning, the clever layout allows natural daylight to reach every interior space.
Located next to the headquarters of Akbank, one of Turkey’s leading banks, this 24/7 active campus offers employees spaces for social activities throughout the day. As LAB1, we provided comprehensive architectural lighting design and consultancy services to bring the project’s unique spatial concept into the night.
Lighting Design Concept & Principles
Rather than using light as a decorative showpiece, our approach was to highlight the underlying architectural ideas integrated with the land and landscape through a multi-layered lighting strategy:
Emphasising Architectural Form: The building’s subtle elevation from the ground was accentuated with precise exterior lighting. The visual "tearing" effect from the terrain was highlighted using interior light spilling through windows combined with spotlighting directed at the overhangs.
Landscape and Roof Continuity: To maintain the visual continuity of the green roof at night, bollard lighting fixtures used in the surrounding landscape were also strategically integrated into the roof area.
Layered & Cohesive Illumination: Moving away from single-layer facade lighting, we harmonised interior lighting, landscape lighting, and exterior facade illumination to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Timeless Lighting Approach: Utilising modern lighting technology, we achieved a sustainable, energy-efficient, and timeless lighting scheme.
The project was named runner-up in the SPACE: Low Budget category at the 2019 darc awards.
Location: Izmit, Turkiye
Completion: 2019
Project Area: 35,000 m2
Project Architect : TeCe Architecture, TR
Lighting Design: LAB1 Lighting Design, TR
Photography: Faruk Uyan, Emrah Altınok
Awards: Darc Awards 2019, 2nd Place in Space - Low Budget category