When I think of Istanbul, my mind immediately jumps to Hagia Sophia and it's iconic minarets, the clay tile roofs on its sun-beat buildings, and the city's bustling markets. Its an ancient city steeped in culture, but one that's in no way stuck in its past. Behind its old edifices is a burgeoning network of contemporary architects and architecture that is looking forward, towards a global Istanbul and the next 1000 years of history. Check out Contemporary Istanbul's must-see buildings below:

Vakko Headquarters and Power Media Center

A post shared by REX Architecture (@rexarchitecture) on Jul 8, 2015 at 1:33pm PDT

Architect: REX Built: 2010 Type: Office & Showroom Address: Altunizade Mahallesi, Kuşbakışı Cd. No:35, 34662 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Turkey Open to the Public: Yes Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 6:00pm Website: www.newmuseum.org/

Sancaklar Mosque

A post shared by Architectural Photography (@egemenkarakaya) on Oct 16, 2016 at 11:36pm PDT

Architect: Emre Arolat Architects + Tabanlıoğlu Architects Built: 2015 Type: Religious Address: Karağaç Mah., Sırtköy Çiftliği Mevkii G 84 Bulvarı, 34500 Büyükçekmece/İstanbul, Turkey Open to the Public: unknown Website: www.bcekmece.bel.tr

Zorlu Center

A post shared by Rin Smart Architecture (@rin_smart_architecture) on Jun 2, 2017 at 1:53pm PDT

Architect: Emre Arolat Architects + NSMH Built: 2007 Type: Retail, Residential Address: Zorlu Center, Koru Sok. No:2, 34340 Beşiktaş/TR-34, Turkey Open to the Public: Yes Open to the Public: Yes Website: www.zorlucenter.com.tr/

Apple Store

A post shared by alihalaj (@alihalaj) on Oct 23, 2016 at 12:35am PDT

Architect: Foster + Partners Built: 2014 Type: Retail Address: Zorlu Center, Koru Sok. No:2, 34340 Beşiktaş/TR-34, Turkey Open to the Public: Yes Website: www.zorlucenter.com.tr/

Ipera 25

A post shared by IPERA (@iperagroup) on Jun 1, 2015 at 7:51am PDT

Architect: Alataş Architecture & Consulting Built: 2013 Type: Residential Address: Tatarbeyi Sokak, Galata District, Istanbul Open to the Public: No

Santral Istanbul Museum of Contemporary Arts

A post shared by Arkitera (@arkitera) on Oct 21, 2014 at 6:40am PDT

Architect: Emre Arolat Architects + NSMH Built: 2007 Type: Museum Address: Emniyettepe Mahallesi, Kazım Karabekir Cd. No:2, 34060 Eyüp/İstanbul, Turkey Open to the Public: Yes Hours: Daily: 9:00am - 6:00pm Cost: TL 25 (approx. US $7) Website: www.santralistanbul.org/

Şışhane Park

A post shared by @sishanepark on Jan 2, 2015 at 12:32am PST

Architect: SANALarc Built: 2014 Type: Public Space Address: Bereketzade Mh., Büyük Hendek Caddesi No:50, 34200 Beyoğlu, Istanbul Open to the Public: Yes Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 11:00am - 6:00pm (open until 9:00pm on Thursday) Cost: US $18 Website: www.newmuseum.org/

The Ulugöl Otomotiv Office Building

A post shared by Turkey - Turkish Architecture (@contemporary_architecture_tr) on Mar 23, 2017 at 1:07am PDT

Architect: Tago Architects Built: 2015 Type: Office Address: Küçükbakkalköy Mahallesi, Vedat Günyol Cd. No:20, 34758 Ataşehir/İstanbul, Turkey Open to the Public: No Website: www.ulugol.com.tr/

Apartman 18

A post shared by Rafah Oliver interior designer (@sr_rafaholiver) on Mar 5, 2017 at 3:15pm PST

Architect: Aytac Architects Built: 2014 Type: Residential Address: Erenköy Mahallesi, Ömer Paşa Sk. No:18, 34730 Kadıköy/İstanbul, Turkey Open to the Public: No

Selcuk Ecza Headquarters

A post shared by MIMARSIV (@mimarsiv) on Jun 20, 2016 at 6:31am PDT

Architect: Tabanlıoğlu Architects Built: 2013 Type: Office Address: Altunizade, 34662 Üsküdar/Istanbul, Turkey Open to the Public: No Website: www.selcukecza.com.tr/

Ulus Savoy Residences

A post shared by Aristo (@aristochan) on Jun 9, 2016 at 7:21am PDT

Architect: Emre Arolat Architects Built: 2013 Type: Residential Address: Ulus Savoy Sitesi, Ortaköy Mh., Ahmet Adnan Saygun Cd. No:66, 34345 Beşiktaş/İstanbul, Turkey Open to the Public: No [mappress mapid="109"]