FALL 2022-ARCH401

Throughout history, Domatia has served as a host to various user profiles, from ancient Greeks to immigrant Turks, wealthy professors, and now a user profile in transition. The building currently used as a visitor center has played a significant role in this historical transformation, having served as a hospital, school, warehouse, and police station over time. The goal is to maintain the historical significance of the building while also ensuring that the user profile remains dynamic. Efforts are made to continuously update the events and exhibitions within the building, considering the unique character of the building and its surroundings. The use value of the visitor center is protected while also making changes to the exhibition hall circulation. Visitor Center’s first floor is open to the public and includes exhibition halls, while the basement floor has administration and service units. The Reline project takes into consideration the past user profiles of Domatia and positions itself by referencing the village's public and private spaces. It aims to engage with the village, utilizing materials that are in harmony with the surrounding environment.

The Reline project encompasses four distinct buildings: Visitor Center-I, Visitor Center-II, the Accommodation Building, and the Research Hub. The Accommodation Building has been strategically placed in the northeastern part of the village, in the northern area which contains mostly private houses, to make the scenic southern area more accessible to the public. The Visitor Center-I building welcomes visitors leaving the existing exhibition center with a direct pathway leading to the meeting hall and then to the square. From there, visitors can proceed to the Visitor Center-II building for conferences, or to the Archive and Library, which is the public component of the Research Hub. The end of the visit concludes with the opportunity to take in the picturesque scenery at the landscape. Researchers have the option of two distinct pathways. The first pathway is from the existing building to the axis, where researchers may first stop at Visitor Center I and then proceed to the Research Hub if they desire accommodation. The second pathway is direct access to the Research Hub from the square, or by way of the semi-private mesh structure leading to the private square.

The project endeavors to harmonize with the natural surroundings and the utilization of historical local materials through references taken from the site in the positioning of the Reline buildings. The south and east directions of the village are the most prominent viewpoints of the site. From the south, there is a roadway leading to the western part of the village, where the exhibition center is situated. On the other hand, from the east, there are rural homes and tourist destinations. The design aims to convey a sense of cohesion with existing structures when viewed from the exterior, through the utilization of masonry stone walls on the southern and eastern facades. Conversely, white plaster and black steel structures are employed in the remaining design and the square portion, with the intention of creating contrast and distinctiveness with local materials, while also referencing the contemporary nature of the structure.

Consequently, when individuals come to Reline, they are not only presented with the opportunity to behold the existing structure in its original state and immerse themselves in the abundance of the natural park, but also engage in endeavors that will enhance their visit through the incorporation of contemporary edifices that pay homage to Reline's history. Additionally, scholars are able to conduct their research with ease in proximity to the natural park and make a valuable contribution to it. Thus, the changing user profile from its past is constantly updated and the lifecycle of Domatia is preserved.