FALL 2022-ARCH401

Palimpsest architecture refers to the reuse or layering of existing architectural elements or structures in new building projects. This can include incorporating parts of an older building into a new design, or building a new structure on top of or alongside an existing one. The term "palimpsest" is used to describe this layering process, as it is similar to the way that older texts were written on parchment, with the new text superimposed over the old. In architecture, this approach can be used to preserve historical elements of a building or site while also incorporating modern design elements.

Doğanbey is a village located in the district of Milas, in the province of Muğla, in southwestern Turkey. The village is known for its traditional stone houses, many of which have been restored and converted into hotels and guesthouses. The village is also known for its beautiful natural setting, with rolling hills and olive groves, and it is popular with tourists looking to experience a more authentic side of Turkey. The village is located near the ancient city of Labranda and the famous ancient city of Ephesus. It's also popular among the backpackers who are seeking a peaceful and quiet place to rest and explore the nearby area.

Palimpsest is an architectural project in Doganbey Village focusing on a historical visitor and research centre in the village. The main focus of the project is to develop existing function of the visitor centre for the scientists and the researchers coming to Doganbey neighbourhood. The existing visitor centre has the most visible location in the village. In that manner, the new units are placed to the garden behind the building to not spoil the historical building from the south facade. Stone is the most common local material in the village therefore, the rough texture of the stone was catched in the raw concrete and corten steel panels at the façade. The volumentric organization of the new units is designed according to the old olive trees at the garden and the existing topography lines. Since, the the mediterranean climate is dominant at area, open and semi open areas are designed to create more lively and sustaniable environment.  In that manner, new research building and accomodation  building have  openings from the top that will allow the sunlight and provide a natural ventilation at the interior.

The first floor of the existing building serves as an exhibition area where the endemic animals and plants are exhibited. The North façade of the building is penetrated from the central axis in order to provide an access from existing building to the new research building. The interior walls of the first floor are re-organized to provide a more flexible circulation at the interior. The central axis from East to West façade is also protected. While the East façade is the main entrance, the West façade opens to a semi open auditorium covered with a corten steel shelter. The functions of the ground floor are mostly conserved. A corten steel pergola having the same design langueage with corten panels of the research building is suggested  for the cafeteria.

The  research  building can be accessed via the historical building or from the garden. The building is placed accordding to the location of the existing olive trees. In the building there is a laboratory for the researchers and a co-working area. The accomodation building is located next to the research building but it is located 1 meter above of it on the landscape. There are four rooms for eight people in total. And there is a lobby welcoming the resarchers.