FALL 2021-ARCH401

Domatia, which is the project area, is 30 km away from Söke district of Aydın province. Leaning on the Mykale Mountains (Dilek Mountains), it is a village left over from the Greeks who migrated to Greece as a result of the population exchange during the War of Independence. The area, which is within the borders of the National Park, functions like an open-air museum in terms of both cultural, historical and natural life. It is especially rich in terms of plant and animal diversity.

"Buyuk Menderes Delta National Park" is this botanical garden where almost all plants naturally coexist. In addition, it has a mountainous terrain with raptors and wild animals and underwater riches surrounding it, as well as a delta with hundreds of bird species, rich fish varieties, and historical and cultural riches surrounding them. Due to its unique biological diversity, the Dilek Peninsula is recognized a “Flora Biogenetic Reserve Area” by Council of Europe.The approach to the area was to incorporate the site's national park (natural beauty) with the advantage of its location in Flora Biogenetic Reserve area.

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The plants and animals within the borders of Dilek Penisula are both very well preserved in terms of endemic and diversity. This area, which works as an open-air flora and fauna museum. Therefore, the site is the potential area for research and study on existing flora and fauna also endemic species in Dilek Peninsula. Design Proposals: The focus will be on expanding and developing sustainable habitats of endemic species. It is also a priority to support flora and fauna research and to create a program to better understand Domatia.

The scenario is made of a settlement including 3 separate units, with connections between them. This includes firstly a visitor center, separated into Domatia and national park exhibitions, secondly the flora fauna research center (depots, specialized laboratories, workshop units, and accommodation spaces), and the Gathering center. The biggest challenge for the concept of the project is that it is located within the borders of the NATIONAL PARK. The most important thing to consider when designing the project is that this natural beauty is always in the foreground and that the project is as minimalist as possible. Therefore, it was left to the landscaping and cafeteria to function as a gathering center in front of the visitor center. The exhibition area was placed by being articulated with the gathering area and the cafeteria. The research center and accommodation units for researchers are placed behind the exhibition area.

Existing Visitor Center will continue to function in the same way. However, variations in method are suggested. First of all, the method used as an exhibition does not leave a sufficient effect. It is envisaged that the place can be felt better and that the experience of Domatia, flora, fauna and nearby campuses will be experienced by the visitors in the "Virtual Museum". In Domatia, it is aimed to bring together the animals that used to exist and are now extinct with virtual reality.

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The parameter referenced when placing units is view. East and south façades looked at the unique beauty of Domatia. Since there is an existing visitor center on the south façade, the settlement has moved towards the east. A separate corridor and area has been defined for vehicle operators by paying attention to the separation of private and public areas. In order not to obtain a large mass, the masses were divided where necessary and production greenhouses were placed between them. In addition, by using stone walls on the west facades, extreme heat is prevented and a corridor effect is provided for the exhibition in the open space.

Since the auditorium design, which is the heart of the project, is open to everyone, a design suitable for the semi-open space setup was envisaged, while taking into account the environmental and climatic factors, it was desired to create a microclimate effect. Adhering to this, a space setup has been made that goes under the ground by circling around a tree with a ramp. Since the climate of the region is hot, the place is underground, allowing the sunlight to enter the space indirectly. 

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Considering that the buildings of the region were created with more traditional materials, modern building elements were used for both traditional and open wide openings. Adhering to this, masonry and reinforced concrete elements were blended and a design suitable for the language of the region was approached. On some facades, semi-permeable materials such as fabric are used together with transparent facade elements. Elements are envisaged to homogenize the light into the building and to control the temperature.

Building heights were created by using the existing structure of the topography and the silhouettes were created as a complementary element.