Exploring New Frontiers - An Aquatic Center
The Aquatic Center offers its visitors a variety of activities for both the locals and the tourists of Alanya. The Aquatic Center intends to improve the lives of Alanya’s residents by providing them with job opportunities and workshops, thus, making it a sustainable place in winter as well as summer. The building is located in the middle of Alanya’s shore line where the only visible part of the building is a sinking ship which is a focal point and a performing stage.
The access to Aquatic Center is through the floating platforms which also transform into seating places for people to enjoy and watch the performance stage. The Aquatic Center is immersed in water so as not to overshadow or disturb the historical silhouette of Alanya.
The form-finding method was through parametric tools which were utilized to ensure sufficient sunlight exposure to all interior spaces. The outermost exterior facade is made of 3D printed hollow ceramics blocks that are filled with 3D printed concrete that are in the form of coral reefs where the marine creatures will inhabit it. The corals provide a closer interaction with the water and the users of the building.
Public, cultural, aquatic center, marine center, research center, mixed use.
The aquatic center includes many experiences for both the locals and the tourists of Alanya. The building comprises of research labs underwater as well as an exhibition underwater with a connected to a central courtyard allowing the sunlight in. The center also includes workshop rooms and study spaces to accommodate the various needs of the users coming to this space with three major circulation cores to ensure the safety and accessibility of the center.
Alanya, Turkey
2018
Architecture, Interior design, landscape
Exploring New Frontiers
The aquatic center is situated near the shore line and provides visitors access by boat to reduce traffic during summer seasons and floating platforms for pedestrians that are mobile and may be used for other purposes as well.
The aquatic center is immersed in the water and does not disturb the historical and existing silhouette of Alanya. Furthermore, the building introduces a bold statement and explores a new medium that has not been done before yet in Alanya, thus, attracting more tourists and boosting the economy of the area.
Masterplan of the project showing the location of the center and its access points.
Going Down and Under
The building takes the form of an oval like shape with two distinct sections so as to physically separate the public spaces from the private spaces where staff doing research and test could have optimum working conditions.
Having said that, visitors have the chance to see and watch scientists and researchers at work form certain spaces. The two separate zones share a buffer zone in the form of a central courtyard that also allows the natural sunlight to come through the spaces for healthy and refreshing spaces.
Nurturing Workplace
The offices in the aquatic and marine center provides its users with a healthy and a collaborative work space environment allowing employees to interact and communicate easily and positively.
The transparency and the display of man-made structure along with the natural views of the sea allows the contrasting elements to individually shine and be appreciated distinctively.
The open spaces and direct visual connection with the exterior and nature encourage a healthy and productive environment for the staff.
Access to All
The offices in the aquatic center provides its users with a healthy and a collaborative work space environment allowing employees to interact and communicate easily and positively.
The transparency and the display of man-made structure along with the natural views of the sea allows the contrasting elements to individually shine and be appreciated distinctively.
The coral reefs and the transparency of the facade allows for an intimate experience and a rich learning environment for all ages.
The ceramic coral reefs on the facade will eventually invite aquatic animals to take them as homes for them, thus, enriching and supporting the marine life as well as giving the visitors an unforgettable experience through the intimate interaction with water.
An aerial view of the aquatic and marine center.
Gallery
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