GATEWAY TO THE SKY//ELİF KILIÇ
Based on my land analyses, I discovered that the selected area suffers from insufficient lighting. Initially, this seemed like a disadvantage, but I turned it into an advantage by designing an observatory. My goal is to create a social interaction space that appeals to people of all ages, hosts various activities, and provides educational information.
In the semi-open areas, I placed four telescopes surrounding the enclosed area, each with protective covers designed to shield them from different weather conditions. After further research and work, I added solar panels to these covers. I repurposed the semi-open areas beside the telescopes, initially intended as protective spaces, to house tablets that provide information about the sky and the telescopes. These tablets are powered by the aforementioned solar panels, creating a self-sustaining system.
In the 40-square-meter enclosed area, I organized a light show that projects stars and planets. The walls and floor of this enclosed space are equipped with screens that give the impression of stepping into an open sky when entering.
Lastly, I connected both the open and enclosed areas to main paths. Near the main paths, I installed coin-operated telescopes to attract and engage visitors.
