DUALITY SYNTHESIS

Bilkent University

Project idea

The project aims to show the spectrum of possibilities that can be explored within the list of the given specifications. It is designed to reflect the main idea of a piece of a country inside a country. To unite two nations, cultures, histories, traditions and laws on a certain amount of land. And since the subject of matter was often brought down to two, it was decided that the main concept should highlight the stated idea. The key point was to highlight the starting point of diplomatic relations between the two countries and come back to understanding one of the steps taken to achieve harmony. Therefore, the phenomenon such as duality has come to be the starting and the key point of the design. It is carried on to the façade systems, the relationship between landscape and the designed masses, environmental systems and the form of each building.

Project description

Since one of the crucial factors when designing an embassy is its accessibility and circulation, the proposal offers variety of paths for different users (embassy staff, visitors and residents), with each of those taking into consideration the security measures together with the need of parking spaces. The requirements do split the project by means of functions into two parts: the official and the private parts. The same system is applied within each building (the higher the level, the less public can access). Therefore, the circulation system developed replies to all the needs of users entering the site with the ability to reach to each destination through a controlled passageway (with cameras installed in a way to avoid “blind spots” and security guarding the site from various points) that acts as protector on its own. Another important aspect considered was the greenery that was brought with the landscape elements on the ground and on the voids in order to create a unity between the mankind and nature, referring back to the concept of duality. This concept may be noticed within the idea of the reused clean water above the ground (in the water element and within the building) and the underground system of grey water sanitization. The façade design has a similar approach articulated by the solid/transparent relationship of a double-skin façade system that acts as a buffer zone and the use of materials (glass/ brick). This approach may also be supported by the fact that even though the chosen system of articulating the form is considered to be expensive, the use of so called passive system implication within the design will allow saving energy and money in the long run due to the qualities mentioned earlier. The overall idea of the project may be concluded by the terms of unification, distinction, protection and welcoming.

Technical information

The chosen materials and systems aimed to maximize the heat gain during autumn and winter and minimize it during spring and summer. Therefore, the main façade application material was chosen to be brick. It was one of the best options in terms of its thermal mass properties according to the research done on the annual temperatures in that region and the relationship to the local textures and the environment surrounding the site. For the same reason a system of green roofs has been applied on the buildings in order to protect the interior from drastic temperature changes during different seasons and make more spaces useful and beneficial function wise. Talking about the façade, the period of repetition of the bricks was integrated in order to have a more controlled amount of light entering the interior and to meet the security requirements. Due to the issues of water demand in Ethiopia, the grey water cleaning system was integrated underground in order to be then reused as non-potable (for landscape elements and within the interior of the buildings). For shading purposes, a cultural element named “tukul” has been added in the outdoor green area (the garden). This structure acts as a protector for a lot of ethnic constructions in the city and the tribes outside even nowadays; it is another good example of history blending with the functional needs by means of passive environmental system that helps building In becoming more environmental- friendly and sustainable.