METU 2018-2019, 4th Year - Fall, Architectural Design V
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Cana Bilsel, Inst. Eren Basak, Res. Asst. Duygu Simser, Res. Asst. Merve Ozturk
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Cana Bilsel, Inst. Eren Basak, Res. Asst. Duygu Simser, Res. Asst. Merve Ozturk
Express Izmir is a project that has been configured by a series of decisions related to the characteristics of the project area. The selected site consists of the northern part of the future CBD area developing on the old industrial zone, including the historic Piyale Pasta Factory site that stretches along the Bornova Stream, thus neighboring the Symrna Mound archaeological site. These context bounded decisions can be elaborated as follows: preserving one of the factory buildings due to its contribution to the silhouette and its symbolic value; extending the operation of design beyond the boundaries of the site through the reorganization of waterfront, rearrangement of water channels by taking the streets leading to the site as reference lines; emphasizing historic Smyrna and Kadifekale connection with the design of a public square and thus creating appealing vistas.
For the campus's spatial organization, buildings with various functions on the ground and first level are united with an upper level 'spine'. This 'spine' aims to provide connection and interaction for in-between spaces surrounded by spaces with different programs. A media tower rises right next to the future CBD through its offices and hotels in the east. Overall, the campus enables users to express Izmir and themselves through media, especially with filming and video art. Thus, the site's courtyards have flexible characteristics to be used as extensions such as film studios or open-air broadcasting with their ground-level panels and track system.
