Istanbul Modern receives green building certification

Istanbul Modern’s new museum building, designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 2023, has been awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) after an evaluation process that began in 2017.

The building, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop and constructed with the joint support of the Eczacıbaşı Group, Istanbul Modern’s founding sponsor, and Doğuş Group-Bilgili Holding, the museum’s main sponsor, earned the certification by adhering to green building criteria. These criteria include the use of sustainable materials, environmentally friendly construction techniques, prioritizing accessibility, minimizing energy consumption, and effective waste management.

Spanning 10,500 square meters, the museum building was designed and constructed in accordance with LEED Gold Certification standards, which focus on reducing environmental impact by enhancing energy efficiency, selecting sustainable materials, and improving indoor air quality.

Solar panels covering the roof of the museum’s viewing terrace provide 8% of the building’s energy needs through renewable sources. The building’s heating and cooling strategy optimizes energy efficiency by accounting for the structure’s variable thermal mass, while a smart automation system further enhances the performance of heating and cooling systems.

The new museum building of Istanbul Modern

The new museum building spans 10,500 square meters and can accommodate exhibitions and various programs, featuring exhibition halls, multifunctional spaces, offices, and venues for educational and cultural activities, as well as other facilities. Inspired by the glittering waters of the Bosphorus, the building’s façade is made by a sequence of 3-D-formed aluminum panels that play with the changing sunlight and shadows throughout the day, reflecting both sunlight and seawater. The ground floor, designed with free admission to maximize space for visitors, houses the museum’s library, information desks, spaces for education, a café, and a shop. The transparency of the ground floor extends to all the lobby spaces on the upper levels, allowing visitors to remain in constant visual connection with the building’s surroundings. The first floor is home to the photography gallery, pop-up gallery, event spaces, and education rooms. Istanbul Modern’s restaurant is also located on this floor and offers spectacular views of the Bosphorus and historical peninsula from its outdoor terrace, much like the museum’s former Antrepo building. The second floor houses the museum’s permanent collection gallery, as well as the main temporary exhibition gallery. Located in a unique area where the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn meet, Istanbul Modern offers a one-of-a-kind view with a shallow reflection pool covering the entire roof and a walkway above it, merging the city’s and the sea’s reflections on the water.