Kalyon Karapınar 1.350 MWp Solar Power Plant – Central Control Building by Bilgin Architects

Located in Karapınar, Türkiye, Bilgin Architects’ Central Control Building serves as the operational and symbolic hub of the Kalyon Karapınar 1.350 MWp Solar Power Plant (SPP), the largest solar energy facility in Europe. Spanning an area of 2,778 m², this single-story, detached structure seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology, sustainable design, and architectural elegance within the unique desert landscape.

Dialogue with the Earth

Karapınar’s desert climate, unique within Türkiye, presents both challenges and opportunities. A 20-square-kilometer area, rendered unsuitable for agriculture, has been transformed into an energy specialization zone. The 1,350 MWp solar power plant, with its 3.2 million solar panels, is positioned in this flat, expansive terrain to harness maximum solar potential. The Central Control Building is strategically located 40 meters away from the panels to avoid casting shadows, creating an operational and visual interface with the renewable energy infrastructure.

Dialogue with the Sky

The building’s façade is designed as more than an architectural shell—it forms a dynamic interface between the earth and sky. Featuring 7,200 stainless steel panels at four varying transparency levels, the reflective double-layered façade minimizes solar radiation while responding to geographical orientation and natural light requirements. Its kinetic surface interacts with changing daylight, creating a visually dynamic, passive energy-efficient experience. By night, the façade transforms, revealing interior courtyards and blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

Experiential Interior Spaces

Inside, the Central Control Building fosters human interaction with technology and nature. The foyer and multipurpose areas serve as hubs for panels, workshops, and events, while the interior layout prioritizes flexibility and connectivity. The building’s central courtyard, planted with endemic species that require minimal irrigation, establishes a sustainable microclimate. This green oasis contrasts with the arid surroundings and defines circulation paths, space hierarchy, and the boundary between private and common areas.

Sustainable Integration

Every aspect of the project emphasizes environmental consciousness—from the use of reflective façade materials that reduce heat gain to the design of low-maintenance landscaping. The building is both a technological command center and a symbolic representation of sustainable energy innovation, forming a harmonious dialogue with the desert environment it inhabits.

All Photographs are works of Egemen Karakaya