A Cultural Hub

The idea for Bandirma Archeological Park was conceived using land as the main tool of design. We are writing a narrative that brings together the existing architectural heritage and newly created activities and approached the design by creating a new typology: the split building.

Every building mass have been nested into the topography in a way that doesn’t impose itself on the natural landscape and on the existing heritage. Eventually the massing is split in half and lifted, creating a covered plaza that is fully integrated with the surrounding landscape and offers breathtaking views from the site. These protected spaces function as an outdoor extension of the building sheltered from the heavy winds in the winter and from the summer solar irradiation. This strategy allows a year-long use of the park and all its functions assuring the social activation of the new cultural hub.

The distribution of the program on the site is based on the visitor experience of the site minimizing the interference between the different functions. Tectonically the buildings have been linked to the local resources and materials. The façades and the plazas are made of local limestone giving the typical white/grey colour, while the underside of the split buildings are treated with gold colour - ceramic typical of the Turkish tradition. The ceramic with its vibrant reflectiveness helps to diffuse the natural light, while at night the gold colour reflects and spills on the natural stone creating a landmark effect when looking at this contemporary acropolis from the city.