FALL 2021-ARCH401

The virtual reality simulation center has been designed with the purpose of creating solutions for increasing and creating possibilities for the unearthing of the traces of Karahan Tepe to raise awareness about the common features of a neolithic settlement. The research center aims to create suggestions with the simulations created by using AI technology. The research center aims to create suggestions that can be developed for Karahan Tepe with simulations created using artificial intelligence technology. The simulations created aim to make them available to the public for the benefit of society. For this reason, there is an area where simulations can be watched in the exhibition area separate from the working area in the project. This building aims to be multifunctional and open to everyone with its simulation area as well as the exhibition area. At the same time, access to the building, where privacy is provided for researchers' working environments, study areas, and laboratories, is only for researchers.

In addition, the building is designed with various volumes, open and semi-open spaces, which are in harmony with the slope of the site and strike a balance between history and modernity. The main entrance takes the visitors to the courtyard with the stairs, and welcomes them. It can be said that the courtyard of the project functions as the main circulation that creates a meeting place for people.

Visitors at the courtyard level can access the simulation/exhibition area, cafe, souvenir sales unit, and workshop. This level includes social activities so that visitors can use the space for their various needs. The other level spaces are more private and the building where the study areas and laboratories are located only allows access to researchers. Some semi-open spaces created in public spaces are designed to be controlled to protect the privacy of researchers. Since the workshop spaces in the public space are designed as semi-public spaces, it is desired to relate to the social space the researchers will use. At the same time, a controlled connection with the cafe was designed so that researchers who spend a long time in the field can socialize. Finally, the courtyard logic, which has an important place in the Şanlıurfa tradition, was used both as a meeting place for the locals and integrated into the design as an area that could relax researchers.