At the 10th Golden Ant Awards (Altın Karınca Ödülleri), organized by the Marmara Municipalities Union, the Yeşim Active Living Space Project, for which we led the entire design and implementation process, received the award in the Urban Design and Architecture category. As Onaranlar Kulübü, we carried out this project in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, the Turkish Society of Cardiology, and the Beşiktaş Municipality, creating a model that brings together health, design, and social interaction in urban life.
Implemented in the Akat neighborhood of Beşiktaş, Istanbul, the project seeks to promote active living among residents aged 65 and over—who make up nearly 22% of the local population—while also serving the wider community. Addressing the shortage of existing sports facilities, we designed and delivered an inclusive public space where people of all ages can exercise, socialize, and come together.
One of the project’s most distinctive aspects was our participatory design approach. Through the workshop “Active Living in the City,” we brought together local administrators, healthcare professionals, designers, and potential users to directly reflect the neighborhood’s needs in the design process. This approach enabled us to create not only a functional physical space but also a community hub that strengthens social bonds and fosters a sense of belonging.
The Golden Ant Awards, a prestigious program organized annually by the Marmara Municipalities Union, honors innovative, sustainable, and high-quality projects that enhance urban life. The recognition of the Yeşim Active Living Space Project highlights the value of this collaboration, designed and implemented by Onaranlar Kulübü, as a powerful example of how health, design, and social impact can converge to shape more inclusive and resilient cities.
