CHILDREN'S UNIVERSITY

Kayseri Children University is a school Project located in Kayseri, Turkey. As a children university, the project aims to provide more experimental education than common primary schools.  

As the synthesis, since children universities aim to provide more experimental education than common primary schools, I questioned why these schools are not enough so that children university idea is raised up. 

After many researches, I found out that the problem is originating from the insufficiency of common schools in terms of making children explored themselves. 

For the solution, I aimed to create spaces and a program that serves the idea of self-exploration and after it, identifying personal skills to shape their future considering the vocational determinations. 

According to some scholars from 4 to 14 years old children, self-exploration should be completed. Otherwise, it becomes hard to explore and improve their skills in the future. 

As the result of that I defined my curriculum as 3 parts belonging 3 age groups which are 6-, 9- and 12-years old. 6 years olds would be improving their skills by doing. 

When it comes 9 years old, they would be doing both of the contents. That’s why this group would be keystone for the project. 

Since the project area is located between AGU facilities, this should be considered in some ways. 

In the contextual studies, on of the most important issue is the sustainability idea coming from AGU Sümer Campus.  

Since AGU collects rainwater to use, I thought that using LSC glasses to generate electric power would be a good attribution to that in terms of the idea of sustainable campus. 

Finally, I came up with a form inspired from children. From 6 years old to 12 years old classroom, there is a gradual change in terms of dynamicity since their behaviours are getting more stable by time. 

For the idea of protection, a covering shape was thought and at the entrance protecting wing like shell is located. 

For the technical issues, circulations are separated in order to prevent conflict between different age groups, because since children’s body dimensions are different it creates even physical injuries if they play together. That’s why even playground safely, a separated staircase is designed inside of the class. 

It is also thought that staff member needs some relaxation from the children sound so there is a walkway designed in the area. 

In order to create wider spaces, waffle slabs used and high ceilings are designed in order to create spacious places.