FALL 2022-ARCH401

DIVISION - INTEGRITY 

Domatia is an old Greek village, which is connected to Söke district of Aydın province and located within the borders of Dilek Peninsula National Park. Despite the fact that the region is located in an important historical settlement, there is no introduction to the visitors about the historical, cultural and geographical change of the region over time. Domatia Visitor and Research Center aims to increase the awareness of visitors about the historical, cultural and geographical importance of the region through various activities such as exhibitions, workshops and conferences. Other problem is that many flora and fauna species in the region are in danger of extinction, but there is not enough researchers and research area to examine, research and record these species. Also, with a comprehensive research center to be designed, it is ensured that the flora and fauna species living in the national park are systematically researched, examined and recorded. 

When the village is examined from the upper scale, it is seen that the village is divided into two by a valley and the two parts of the village are connected to each other around a route. A similar situation of physical division exists in the design site. While creating the architectural program in site, the contextual character of the village is continued in spatial organization. In the spatial organization, the state of division and integrity continues between the old building and the new building, between the visitor center and the research center. The state of being physically divided turns into integrity with the integration of sequential functions. The first welcoming point for incoming visitors is the old building that functions as a visitor center. After the visitors are taken to the building from the lower floor, they are taken out from the upper floor after participating in the exhibitions describing the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the region. 

A ramp welcomes visitors going out. While this ramp is a physical dividing element between the visitor center, which is a public space, and the accommodation, which is a private space, it is also an integrating element that incorporates people into the main functions such as the conference hall, lecture room, workshop and cafe. The ramp draws people in from a relatively narrow and viewless area between two bare and high concrete walls, isolating them from the environment and finally brings them together with the unique landscape of the region, by creating a frame effect that focuses on the view. The functions of the research center, library, conference hall, lecture room, workshop and cafe are located at the -2.00 level, and access to the spaces is provided from a inner courtyard. The accommodation unit is located at the +0.00 level and the distribution to the spaces is provided by an open inner courtyard, referring to the residential architectural texture of the village. The research center is designed to be connected to both the inner courtyard and the accommodation unit, and its entrances are designed accordingly. 

As a continuation of the existing architectural texture of the village, the masonry stone structural system is used in the new building. By combining traditional building materials and techniques with contemporary building materials such as concrete and corten, it is aimed that the new structure both refers to the existing texture and integrates with it and at the same time differentiates it, as a continuation of the concept of division and integrity.