Type
Competition Design, Research and Development
Location
Bayraklı, İzmir
Area
6.550 m2
Year
2023
Team
STUDIOEVRENBASBUG
Client
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality
…Make yourself a ship from gopher wood. Pitch the inside and outside and build cabins inside. Here's how you build the ship:
Its length will be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a window as well, so that its length reaches one cubit upwards.
Put the door on the side of the ship. Build lower, middle and upper decks. …
Genesis 6:13-22
Leaving aside whether it is real or not, it can be argued that Noah's Ark was the world's first sustainability center in history. As far as we know, considering its production motivation, production and management processes, physical characteristics, and the function it fulfilled, the Ark could be seen as a preventive/disaster management mechanism developed in response to a threat to life on Earth (in this case, a flood sent by God). While it may not have a direct function in eliminating the root cause of the problem, alongside its emergency management function, it undeniably raised general awareness about the source of the problem when looked at from a broader perspective.
Considering parameters such as the efficient and effective use of limited natural resources, its ecological diversity, resilience, and preparedness for disasters, assuming the reality of Noah's Ark, it can be seen that the Ark did a remarkable job in that historical moment.
Today, we live in a very different world in many aspects. However, we can discuss a critical situation that can be parallel to this story. The world is no longer a place where disasters occur once every thousand years. We are in a constant state of crisis, constantly trying to cope with disasters. Therefore, today, we need hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of Noah's Arks. Every city, every small community, and even every individual need methods and processes to deal with crisis scenarios that are similar in some aspects and very different in others.
For these and similar reasons, more resources than ever need to be allocated to mechanisms like the Izmir Sustainability Center, which may not be immediately embraced or understood by the public but will fulfill its public function in the long run.
We propose a structure for the Izmir Sustainability Center, which, like Noah's Ark, serves as almost a manifesto in both its physical existence and conceptual content.
- The structure we recommend consists of approximately 60% wood and related materials in terms of both the supporting system and other complementary structural elements, prioritizing the use of natural and sustainable materials whenever possible.
- An essential part of the structure's material usage strategy involves reinterpreting local and traditional building practices and knowledge with contemporary technologies.
- The motivation behind tectonic preferences that establish a balance outside of the conventional in the layout of open/closed spaces (sponge building) is drawn from local climate and lifestyle practices specific to Izmir.
We view these critical choices as a consistent and sincere declaration of attitude towards fulfilling the idealistic function of the structure.
S-Hub is a space where local knowledge for the future is shared on a global scale, and efforts are made for global solutions to find local relevance. It sets an example for this starting from its own existence.
The foundation of an ecologically sustainable building design begins with the idea of efficient resource utilization. Therefore, the choice of building materials is a critical issue. Preference for materials obtained from renewable sources, which are recyclable and/or suitable for recycling, prevents the depletion of natural resources and promotes energy and water conservation. In other words, when the materials to be used in the construction of a building are selected with consideration of their environmental impacts during the production stages (embodied energy, carbon emissions, etc.), the environmental impact calculated during and after the construction of the building can differ dramatically.
The project presents the spatial organization in four main categories.
- The Sustainability Center (S-Hub) Structure (A) encompasses some open, semi-open, and all indoor spaces of the program. To support the building's ability to accommodate multi-stakeholder usage scenarios and serve multiple purposes, the structural system is designed on a regular grid.
- The Bridge (B), which creates an uninterrupted public axis from the beginning of the project area to the sea, also leads visitors/users to the Observation Tower (C), which allows for a visual and symbolic connection between the structure and the bay (and thus the entire city). The Bridge, at an elevation of +3.20 meters, provides access to public spaces within the building from two points, allowing ground-level public functions to reach the spaces within the building and above-ground levels.
- The Sürdürİzmir Application (D), produced for city residents, is designed as an extension of the physical public space configuration and is one of the innovative perspectives the project proposes towards the concept of sustainability. Indeed, the translation of the goal of developing an eco-friendly attitude in the city, in line with the Sustainability Center, into the digital space is a crucial decision for encouraging urban residents to adopt and participate in a sustainable lifestyle.
- In the landscaped areas of the project, low-water-demanding local adaptive plants are preferred. Passive and active interactions of users in public spaces are considered in these areas. Community gardens in the form of "bostans" (1), rain gardens (2), sea steps (3), a small boat ("mavna") (5), seating steps (4), walking paths, and leisure areas have been created.
Sustainable land use focuses on the design and management of land areas with an environmentally friendly and natural resource-preserving approach. The project addresses this issue from two perspectives. One is the green spaces designed with the aim of enabling the existence of natural ecosystems within the city, enhancing their functionality, and contributing to the preservation of the natural water cycle. The community gardens, which consist of "bostans," contribute to both the water cycle and the soil cycle. Rain gardens allow rainwater to be absorbed by the soil and naturally managed without overloading the drainage system. The Permaculture Open Laboratory area serves as a workspace for experts conducting local ecosystem and biodiversity research while providing urban residents with a natural learning and experiential environment. Endemic plant pools help increase urban residents' interest in the natural environment, aiding in the development of their ecological awareness. Such areas provide a natural educational and exploration environment for children and youth.
Wood, which is used as a raw material in many productions, becomes a sustainable material primarily because when the tree species used as a source are replanted regularly, the continuity of natural resources can be ensured.
Wood materials are building materials produced from natural and renewable sources that require low energy consumption in the production process. Wood building materials are divided into 5 categories based on their use in construction.
When advantages and disadvantages are analyzed, GLT (Glued Laminated Timber) materials have been chosen as the primary structural materials in the project due to their efficient structural performance. CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) materials, on the other hand, have been selected for their ease of production, lightness, and relatively efficient structural performance in the context of the project.
The beginning of an ecologically sustainable building design starts with the idea of efficient resource utilization. Therefore, the choice of building materials is a critical issue. Preferring materials obtained from renewable sources, which are recyclable and/or suitable for recycling, prevents the depletion of natural resources and promotes energy and water conservation. In other words, when materials to be used in the construction of a building are selected with consideration of their environmental impacts during the production stages (embodied energy, carbon emissions, etc.), the environmental impact calculated during and after the construction of the building can differ dramatically.
Preferring building materials obtained from renewable sources, which are recyclable or suitable for recycling, not only prevents the depletion of natural resources but also promotes energy and water conservation. Additionally, wood materials, in particular, can be used for energy generation alongside their recyclable and recoverable properties. This reduces waste and enables more efficient utilization of natural resources.
As a result, the project has approached energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction practices from this perspective. The design of the project predominantly features natural building materials, with an emphasis on wood, as well as materials such as cork and felt. This has resulted in a lighter structure, allowing for narrower concrete sections in the foundation where needed. Furthermore, the use of these materials has shortened on-site production processes and, consequently, increased the proportion of prefabricated construction methods, leading to cost savings.
The building itself is a manifesto
S-Hub is a space where local knowledge for the future is shared on a global scale, and efforts are made for global solutions to find local relevance. Starting from its own existence, it sets an example for this situation. Being a multi-story building with a wooden structure involves applying local construction techniques to contemporary architecture with an innovative perspective. The minimal use of materials with negative environmental impacts and the maximum use of natural materials showcase how the smart use of materials in the building can contribute to ecological sustainability.
‘Glocal’ approach
The 'glocal' approach to sustainability represents an attitude that acknowledges the unique conditions and characteristics of local communities while recognizing the importance of addressing global challenges. Embracing a 'glocal' perspective allows for the consideration of how local actions in sustainability efforts can have global impacts, and vice versa. It enables the integration of global sustainability goals and frameworks, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with local priorities, cultures, and resources. This approach promotes a more holistic and inclusive understanding of sustainability, taking into account the interconnectedness between local actions and global systems, for the well-being of both people and the planet.
In line with the principles of sustainable development, designs for buildings that use natural resources less, consume less energy, and have a lower environmental impact have begun to emerge in many countries around the world. In this context, the project considers the building's energy requirements, environmental impacts, material and natural resource usage, waste management, and user relationships as a whole.
The innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Izmir is a dynamic network where various local actors and stakeholders come together. In this ecosystem, different groups are interconnected, and they work to support Izmir's progress towards sustainability through initiatives related to S-Hub.
A mobile application for urban residents (Sürdürİzmir) to be implemented with S-hub could serve as a valuable tool to raise awareness, facilitate behavioral change, and develop a sense of community around sustainable living. The features of the mobile application and its contributions can be summarized as follows: It can serve as a center to digitally present the educational resources available in S-hub under the title of information acquisition and education. It may contain content such as articles, videos, trainings and guides on topics such as recycling, energy conservation, public transportation, sustainable food choices. In addition to the areas suggested in the building's architectural program, discussion forums, chat features and social networking options within the application can facilitate community participation. Users can connect with like-minded people, share ideas, ask questions, and collaborate on sustainability projects within the center. The app may include information on local producers and services, eco-friendly restaurants in the city, green markets, recycling centres, sustainable transport options and other related services.
Thanks to the application that includes a calendar of sustainability-related events, workshops, and activities taking place at S-Hub and in the city, users can discover upcoming events, participate, and even promote community involvement by creating their own events. Finally, the application can enable citizens to report environmental issues directly to relevant authorities or organizations or suggest improvements. This feature can facilitate the rapid addressing of concerns and the collection, processing, and analysis of data from the community.
