Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project

Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project

The Iznik tile applications located on the stairs leading from Unalan Metro & Metrobus Station to Akasya Shopping Mall were specially produced by Iznik Mavi Cini for the public space. Bringing together traditional Iznik tile art and the contemporary urban fabric, this project aims to create a cultural surface language within the everyday transportation experience. The project offers an architectural contribution that increases the visibility of artistic production in the public realm.

Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project Unalan Metro Station Iznik Tile Project
Unalan Metro & Metrobus Station is an important transfer point located on one of the busiest transportation axes of Istanbul’s Anatolian side. In this project, Iznik Mavi Cini produced custom Iznik tiles to be applied on the stair surfaces leading from the metro line toward Akasya Shopping Mall.

This Iznik tile application in the public realm aimed not only to create an aesthetic surface, but also to establish a spatial experience where cultural heritage comes into contact with everyday life. The pattern language specific to traditional Iznik tile art was adapted to modern urban aesthetics through a simple and legible compositional approach.

Positioned on transitional areas such as stairs, the Iznik tile surfaces create visual continuity that guides users and supports spatial flow. The project is considered a contemporary example of how artistic production can be integrated into transportation infrastructure.

“Iznik tile applications in public spaces are not merely decorative elements; they are permanent surfaces that establish a direct relationship with urban memory.”
— Iznik Mavi Cini, Senior Architectural Projects Production Facility Manager
In which areas of Unalan Metro & Metrobus Station were the Iznik tiles applied?
At Unalan Metro & Metrobus Station, the Iznik tiles were installed on the wall surfaces of the stairways connecting the metro station to Akasya Shopping Mall. These surfaces were treated as transition points that directly engage with public space and accommodate heavy pedestrian movement.

How does this Iznik tile application represent a public-space approach?
This application represents a public-surface approach that seeks to integrate traditional Iznik tile art into contemporary urban life. It focuses on making cultural heritage visible within a space that forms part of the everyday transportation experience.

How can the relationship between the Iznik tiles and the architecture be defined in this project?
In this project, the Iznik tile surfaces were considered design elements that define transitional spaces and reinforce spatial continuity. Rather than being added as decorative embellishments, the tiles were treated as an integral part of the architectural composition.

What effect do such Iznik tile applications create in urban transportation environments?
Applications of this kind create permanent surfaces that enrich spatial perception within fast-paced and heavily used public environments. At the same time, they enable cultural production to establish a direct connection with everyday urban life.