Urban Scenography

USEK - Holy spirit University of Kaslik

Project idea

After an era of horizontal extension, and the interest in pushing urban planning from cities to skyscrapers and vertical extension ... Isn't it time to think about the antagonist of skyscrapers, underground cities?
"Ignored, even rejected, the underside of our cities is a vital treasure"- Dominique Perrault

HISTORY OF THE REGION
Cappadocia is located in Anatolia, Turkey. The Persians gave the region the name of “Katpatoukia” (The land of beautiful horses). Nearly 10 million years ago, Cappadocia was the victim of several volcanic eruptions. The inhabitants of the region lived in caves to protect themselves from bad weather and enemy invasions. Wonders have been created in Cappadocia with the collaboration of history, nature and man.

WHERE?
Nevsehir (New city) is the chosen site, while being a site embedded in urban and memorial history, the link between archaeological sites ... (Goreme and the underground cities) and the welcoming point for tourists from airport and bus station.

PROJECT ISSUE
While visiting the region, I met some locals in Cappadocia and we discussed their needs and vision for their city. I noticed that the people living there got so used to the beauty of the region that they find it too mainstream. Therefore, Cappadocia has turned to an open air museum.

The city is inhabited by its habitants and not only by tourists ... But what is the difference between visiting and living in a museum city? And how to maintain an exciting life for the tourists and for local people?

CONCEPT
Living in a museum city- modifying it- reinterpreting it…
The project translates into a new vision, a new architectural language, projecting the visitor (spectator and actor) into an urban scene game. The idea is to design an architecture that weaves the link with underground cities, the earth and the sky.
Architecture is explained in 4 dimensions (Under the ground, in the ground, on the ground and above the ground). The time parameter is integrated...
"The event is a sign that moving time is a creative time".
A narrative space that writes and rewrites history, the project that carries a story that testifies the past.

Project description

Architecture is considered as a point of attraction and dissemination...
The project will have several echoes and several poles ... The order and the way in which we discover space gives the work its full meaning.

The project contains many parts:
1- Market :
The flow of people, enters the project through the market with an experience and a free path that stretches the perch to the sensitivity of each person.
Local people are known for handmade works therefore the market, support their works. It holds:
-Embroidery
-Tapestry
-Pottery
-Ceramic
-Souvenir Shops

2-Open Forum:
The project is conceived on several layers connected with a fluid circulation. The space is theatrical and cinematographic.
The square on the ground floor is a welcoming place for visitors. In the basement level, the square is a gathering place.
The project contains five towers connected with a floated volume it is the link between all the spaces and an outdoor esplanade to have a panoramic view of the natural beauty of the landscape.
-Illusion Tower: Experience the atmosphere of the narrow passage and the labyrinthine routes of the underground city. Future space which allows a spacio temporal journey
-Exhibition Tower: Species of chronological exposure of the region
-Photography tower Cinematographic space, photography exhibition
-Workshop tower: The tower holds painting and sculpture with graffiti walls which reminds us of the paintings of the underground cities
-Memorial : Upheaval between heaven and earth, reminder of the presentation of Christians in Cappadocia
3- Accommodations:
Related to the main project, Divided in to types:
Type A (On stilts) and Type B (Excavated under ground level)
4- Hot air Balloon and horse area:
Cappadocia is known for the land of beautiful horses. Create a space for horse riding and for food and beverage to enjoy an outdoor picnic …

Technical information

The project is based on a sustainable approach.
The Open forum is constructed with a floating volume and five towers.
Structure: The five towers support the floating volume to preserve the natural site to create different breakthroughs in many directions.
Material:
-Tower: Beige Concrete to support the floating volume
-Floating Volume: Metal
Accommodations:
Material:
Walls made with glass to create transparency with nature
Wood skin to create a pleasant experience with sunlight and to maintain privacy

Co-authors

Project was supervised by Dr. Antoine Younan .