In a project where the building density is very high and the landscape areas are limited, it becomes a bit difficult to associate the building with the landscape. In such cases, it can be a valid method to inject the landscape into the architecture.
comparison: architecture, landscape
In our projects, we strive to overlap these two foci instead of separating them. We believe that design should be constructed together as elements that complement each other, not a cascade of landscape and architecture. It may be inevitable that the center of gravity of the project shifts to the architectural or landscape side due to its function or the land where it is located. At this point, it is more possible to create situations where the building and the landscape can derive from each other in projects where the landscape areas are predominant in quantity. In a project where the building density is very high and the landscape areas are limited, it becomes a bit difficult to associate the building with the landscape. In such cases, it can be a valid method to inject the landscape into the architecture. Building elements at the intersection of landscape and architecture such as the courtyard, inner garden, floor garden, arcade, iwan and roof terrace become the tools we use at this point.
architecture that integrates with the landscape
In our opinion, it is a must for such projects to reflect the spirit of the geography where cultural structures such as museum or monastery visitor reception center have built. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to understand multiple factors that will relate to the location of the building, such as the existing topography, climate, vegetation, material, daylight. If there is potential in the natural structure of the existing environment, it is easy to find out with a good reading and to closely relate the structure with the landscape. What remains is to establish the connection between open, semi-open and closed areas with the correct planning. This connection, established through the public space in cultural buildings such as museums or visitor centers, enables the building and the landscape to be planned and built together.
projects: similarities, differences
Landscape and architectural integration is an issue we aim to provide in many of our projects. To mention the most characteristic examples; In Mardin, in a very special geography, we have designed visitor information centers that will serve two very important buildings, Deyrulzafaran Monastery and Mor Gabriel Monastery. The former was implemented, and the latter is at the project stage. Besides, we have been carrying out a museum project in Oltu district of Erzurum recently. Common points of these structures; that the landscape elements in their geography are determinative and directive. In addition, there are historical buildings with high symbolic value in terms of social and architectural aspects in the regions they are located. Adapting to the region’s natural and architectural heritage constituted the basic design motivation for all three projects. At this point, Oltu Museum was considered as a part of more urban landscape than our projects in Mardin. Elements such as road, pavement, embankment, square, park became the existing elements that shaped the project. Contrary to this, in the visitor centers we designed for the monasteries in Mardin, we mostly discussed natural factors such as topography, vegetation, steppe, climate, sun, shade, coolness and wind.
