A PAVILION UNIQUE UNTO ITSELF
In the original project the railroad was going to be moved further back, the pavilion built on a small rise at the end of the beach, and a bathing area added below it. But, said Atatürk, who was loth to be cut off from the crowd: “In Ankara I live on a hilltop. In Istanbul I’m imprisoned in the Palace. Let me see the people coming and going here, at least let me hear the sound of the train.” Arriving in Istanbul by special train on 28 June 1935, Atatürk crossed that day from Haydarpaşa to Dolmabahçe and from there to Florya to examine the construction of the Sea Pavilion that was being built for him by the city of Istanbul. Staying in the city for the week of 1-7 July, he went several times to Florya, swam in the sea with the common people and inspected the construction. The Florya Sea Pavilion is a uniquely felicitous structure. Extending 70 meters over the water on stilts, its simple, whitewashed mass peers out like a gull while being bound closely to the shore by a pier. From the choice of location to the wood frame construction and overall design, there is no other building like it in inspiration.