UNIVERSITY OF URBAN ARCHEOLOGY

The project, University of Urban Archeology, aims to provide more than just an educational facility for the students. With the right approaches, it draws attention to the historical and cultural heri­tages located in the site. Blending into the context and becoming a part of it. It sustains the spirit of the place by strengthening the relationship between the natural environment and the built environment. Last but not least, it provides a gathering and socializing space in the heart of Ulus, among the educational facilities. The design consists of approaches for urban planning, sustainability, and building technology, among the strategies to preserve the spirit of the place.

The user profile has a wide range, from students to visitors, locals to tourists, children to elder people, anyone who wants to learn about history, culture, and archeology and be a part of the site is welcomed. The University of Archeology provides workshops, seminars, and group lectures with guest lecturers from all around the world. In addition to learning, there are many more fa­cilities for a variety of activities. From educational facilities to entertainment facilities, gathering spac­es to eating spaces, meeting spaces to site living dormitories, and many more functions compose the University of Urban Archeology. With all these functions, the University serves not only the students but also the people who are interested in learning, working, eating, enjoying a quality time, and socializing.                 

Site Plan

 

 

Ulus is located in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. Region­ally, it has an old town status. The project site is bounded by Bentderesi Street, Kevgirli Street, and Hisar Parkı Street. Since the project site is located in an old town region, there are many traditional, cultural, and historic heritage re­mains from various nations, that had ever settled in Anka­ra, such as Ottomans, Romans, Frigs, and many others that reach back to Paleolithic Age. Inside the project site, there are two historic mosques from Seljuks and Ottomans, and for­tification walls of the Ankara Castle, which was built by the Byzantine Empire and renovated by many other civi­lizations. Lastly, a half-buried Roman Amphi Theatre.

According to Genius Loci, there are some essences, that are used as guidelines in this project. It is all about strengthening the rela­tion between the built environment and the natural environment. Existing ruins, natural elements, people, animals, light, and sound are embraced in design to provide a better experience to the users of the site. Charac­teristic materials, forms, and structural sys­tems from the context are used for blending in. Integration of the masses to the topogra­phy is made with the minimum intervention, so that, the spirit of the space would not get harmed. Among all the physical design strategies, environmental forces and natural lighting is also embraced. Infiltration of the natural light through the building and breez­es through the corridors between the units multiplies the effects of the experience. The topography of the site is highly-sloped, and need­ed a specific treatment. Platforms for the units’ bases are integrated into the topography, with respect to the isohypse rates. Then, they are joined with forks, as a circulation element. Later on, forks are blended into the to­pography to keep the intervention minimum. Circulation is arranged according to the site's topo­graphical condition and the historical heritages on the various levels. The goal was to keep the interven­tion on the topography minimum and draw atten­tion to the historical heritage while embracing the natural elements. After the integration of the ramps, forks, and the platforms was finalized, the volumes of the units were decided. The aim was to settle into the context and become a part of it, without disturbing the surrounding units.                                                                                     

The site consists of numerous archeological, historical, and cultural elements. However, there is no awareness of them. Even locals of the site have not been taught about the cultural treasure they were living next to. So that, providing a complex, which would be drawing attention, organizing lectures, seminars, and events for people, who wants to develop themselves, and involve in research.

In short term, the university will be raising awareness of the Ottoman and Seljuk Mosques, Fortification Walls of Ankara Castle, and Roman Amphi-Theatre for the local people and attract tourists to the site. In the long term, it will provide knowledge for conservation, preservation, and archeology. It will increase the trade in the site, this will result in economical development. In addition to that, due to the preservation of the site, public security will advance. The last but not least, people will feel the spirit of the site (Genius Loci), due to the design strategies and conservation regulations.

On the facade of the building, a panel cladding system is implemented, and the primary element of the system is the corten steel panel, which suits the context completely. Other than that, glass panels are used for creating views of many historical heritages and taking advantage of the natural light as much as possible. Furthermore, galvanized steel is used for mullions, and timber is used for all of the structural elements, which are columns, beams, and purlins.

The building consists of many active and passive sustain­ability systems, that make it environmentally friendly. As passive systems, air chimneys are created for natu­ral air ventilation, sun wells are integrated, and courtyards are created for taking sunlight to the interior and get­ting benefit from it, as much as possible. Moreover, sloped roofs are preferred for harvesting greywater. Last but not least, the river is resurrected from the underground water, and with vegetation, a micro-climate is created. As active systems, transparent photovoltaic panels are used on the building’s roof with skylight openings, for creating elec­tricity from solar energy. Furthermore, people use greywater in the building and for the vegetation in the courtyards. Other than that, timber structural elements are used as a primary system. 20x20 cm2 timber columns are used as vertical structural elements, that are fixed on the ground with galvanized steel sheet. Columns are connected to each other with 30x20 cm2 timber beams. Beams are joined to each other with 20x10 cm2 purlins.