FALL 2022-ARCH401

Site: 

Domatia, located within the borders of Dilek Peninsula and Büyük Menderes Delta National Park, is a unique village with its natural, historical and cultural heritages. It is necessary to research the history, flora, and fauna of this national park and to raise people's awareness about the heritage of Domatia. Within the scope of this project, a research and visitor center was designed in order to protect unique values and create conservation awareness. 

 

Design Proposal: 

Domatia integrates with the topography where it is located and adapts to geographical features. In this context, the main design decision in the project is to provide a site-specific revival, to refer to the traces, and to follow the existing approaches. This design decision has been continued in the site settlement, space organization, and structural system. 

 

Site Settlement: 

While the mass settlement was being made, firstly, the spatial characteristic of the village was analyzed and some common features were discovered. There are 2 settlements in the village, east, and west of the Şarlak Stream. When we focus on the western settlement, there are two focal points and nodal centers on the urban spine. These centers include monumental trees, water elements, stairs, and level differences. In this context, the area with the monumental tree in the project area was designed as a focal point and associated with the research and visitor center. Then, by making level differences, a node center was designed at the lower level and fed with a cafe and activity center. The backyard, which is a more private area, is designed as an accommodation area. 

 

 Building Programme: 

The building program consists of a public space for visitors, a more intimate space for researchers, and an activity area where two groups come together. The visitors' tour starts with the visitor center and ends with the activity center on the lower level. Researchers, on the other hand, after settling into the accommodation in the backyard, continue their studies at the research center associated with the village and organize activities at the activity center. 

 

 

Plan Organization: 

While organizing the spaces, the functional identity of the village was analyzed. Domatia literally mean rooms around the courtyard. In fact, this name describes the space set up in the village. A spatial setup is observed in the village, where non-massive units come together and relate to nature. Moreover, attention was paid to the distinction between public and private spaces. Therefore, a design that is smaller, associated with the outside, where there is a separation of privacy, oriented according to the view and the sun has been made. 

 

Structural System: 

While choosing the structural system and materials, the building morphology in the village was examined. The emphasis on the structural system, the rhythm in the material, and the balance on the façade draw attention. In this context, the structural system was emphasized and caught modernity thanks to the plain reinforced concrete structure. Moreover, by using the local stone and material texture, the rhythm in the village was maintained and the balance in the wall openings was ensured. 

 

As a result, Biotopia has added a new value to domatia by shaping according to the conditions of the terrain, integrating with the topography, and creating environmental consciousness.