A team of renowned architects, including Snøhetta, BIG, and MVRDV, has unveiled the Ion Riva masterplan, an 84-hectare development in Istanbul’s Beykoz district. This “landscape-led masterplan” prioritizes harmony with nature, blending seamlessly into the surrounding forest, river, and sea.
The project features four landmark cultural spaces: Snøhetta’s elevated Ring structure, BIG’s teardrop-shaped Drop, MVRDV’s Lantern performing arts center, and a fourth building yet to be revealed. These spaces will provide community areas, eateries, art spaces, and wellness centers, fostering connection and creativity.
Ion Riva will offer 3,000 homes, constructed with natural materials like local stone and cross-laminated timber. The design incorporates green spaces, walkable streets, and shaded paths, ensuring a tranquil atmosphere. Renewable energy systems, including solar panels, will power the development.
“At Ion Riva, we have worked with the landscape as the first architect,” said Kjetil Thorsen, Snøhetta co-founder. “The meeting of forest, river, and sea creates a natural framework, and our task has been to strengthen those conditions rather than overwrite them.”
The first phase, expected to introduce 969 homes in 2027, will include three- to six-bedroom villas, organized around internal courtyards. Ion Riva promises to be a sustainable, nature-inspired oasis in the heart of Istanbul.
