журиране: 11.2011

участници: 1495, международен

http://www.thyssenkrupp-elevator-architecture.com/default.aspx

GENERAL DESIGN CONCEPT

The city of Istambul – a city of all times, diverse and abundant in its nature – has an appealing character that defines its very existence – intersection. Istambul is a city of crossroads, a meeting point, both physically and metaphorically – tectonic plates collide and cultures interconnect, the earth’s bosom shakes and opposites yield new ideas. Diversity and collision bear evolution and progress.

Our proposal for Istanbul Disaster Prevention and Education Centre (IDPEC) derives from this very nature of Istambul.

The main programme is placed in four volumes, generated by an imaginary earthquake and displaced floating tilted above ground, leaving two huge diagonal cracks and a inner yard in the middle. A fine reflecting ball, the planetarium, born from this imaginary disaster, contrasts and mirrors the coarseness and roughness of the earth’s cracks. The education centre hovers around and over the yard, and looks at the planetarium as classes go from one demonstration room to another.

At the same time the whole site is publicly accessible and usable, interweaving the city fabric in itself. Two new very specific cityscapes are generated, apart from the building main programme:

These extra spaces are to raise awareness for the earth’s powers and unique balance in casual passers-by while animating the IDPEC with non-planned visitors even in non-working hours. The building becomes a walking path for neighbouring activities’ users, instead of an obstacle, letting city life freely flow through it instead of blocking it.

INNER SPATIAL RELATIONS

The main entrance faces south towards the new circular crossroad. It is accessible by a wide ramp, going up from an open area in front of the building. Upon entrance to the right opens the main lobby area with reception/information desk, cloak rooms, exhibition area, an atrium, overlooking the lower level lobby and a library.

Guided disaster prevention education would start after the lobby and go in a circular manner to the right. The process starts at the 4D video display room. All education sections are placed one after the other along a circular pathway, to facilitate the simultaneous use of several groups in different sections, to serve as an orientation stage between different areas and to allow for rest between classes. Education sections are grouped in three – the earthquake area and the rainstorm simulation section, the disaster reaction training area with first aid training and communication experiment room and the fire area – with the smoke maze and the fire fighting simulation.  Gaps of free space are designed in between, with additional views towards the closing cracks. The education process ends after a full circle back at the lobby. From there the Planetarium can be visited or one can just enjoy a snack at the cafeteria downstairs and take a deserved rest at the serenity of the inner yard along the lake. The children playroom is also placed at yard level, as well as complementary shops and the emergency shelter, all at unrestricted access.

The conference centre is designed around the atrium with a separate autonomous entrance to the north, with direct connection to the covered parking area to the east.