Antakya Atatürk Stadium of Hatay, Turkey, was originally built in 1950 but was recently closed due to its inability to meet growing demand. In a new public project titled Green Wings, ONZ Architects aim to transform this former urban centre into a new park with a cultural hub.

Intended to provide respite from the dense urban fabric surrounding it, Green Wings is formed by 'curling up' the three corners of the triangular site, wrapping and isolating the park from the city. This 'curling' occurs through the slanted green roofs of three different public institutions at each corner: a library, a museum/exhibition space and a cultural centre.

Receded from the street, these buildings leave room for smaller urban squares at each corner, connecting pedestrian and bicycle paths at the intersection of the city's circulation axes. The park at once responds to growing demands for an urban hub and constructs an isolated space for visitors to feel alone with nature. The main square at the centre of the site additionally provides spaces for open-air activities and enriches urban life.

From maximising the green surface of the park to implementing passive cooling and natural ventilation through green roofs, central to ONZ's design is a focus on sustainability. Hatay being a province rich in solar energy, solar panels are to be mounted on roofs of the commercial buildings, covering a large part of the energy need.

Via ArchDaily | Images © ONZ Architects