REINCARNATION / Şevval Yılmaz
This rehabilitation center in Mustafapaşa (Sinasos) draws inspiration from the region’s historical texture and natural environment, focusing on the trauma of Christians displaced during the population exchange. The design seeks to create a space that facilitates healing and renewal by reconnecting individuals with the area’s cultural and natural heritage. A key feature of the project is water therapy, which aims to revive the historical waterways of the region. Water, with its calming sound and flow, symbolizes purification and renewal, offering a serene atmosphere for therapy and reflection.
The center incorporates therapy areas that feature pigeons and nature, elements chosen for their symbolic significance. In Christianity, pigeons represent the Holy Spirit and peace, and their presence enhances the spiritual and emotional healing process. By integrating these elements, the design embodies the concept of reincarnation, striving to revive the Christian heritage and dried water systems of the region while offering a sanctuary for healing.
The spatial design balances indoor, semi-outdoor, and outdoor areas to create a holistic and versatile environment. Fiber cement panels are used on façades for their contemporary aesthetic, seamlessly blending with the existing historical environment. These panels provide a subtle contrast while maintaining harmony with the surrounding architectural texture. Indoor spaces incorporate local stone materials, paying homage to the architectural identity of Mustafapaşa. Outdoor areas emphasize water features and landscaping, fostering a deeper connection with nature.
The project also prioritizes isolation from crowded urban areas, providing a tranquil retreat where users can interact with nature. Accommodation units are designed to accommodate flexible stays, ranging from daily to monthly, ensuring privacy while maintaining a sense of openness. Semi-outdoor areas are more liberally designed, allowing individuals to meditate, engage in therapy sessions, or simply enjoy the outdoors in a peaceful setting.
Ultimately, the rehabilitation center aims to heal not only its users but also the cultural and environmental heritage of the region, promoting purification, renewal, and balance between the historical and the contemporary, the built and the natural, and the individual and the collective.
As an architecture student, every morning when I arrive at school, I encounter a busy schedule. I attend classes and work on my projects while frequently receiving critiques from my friends. These critiques help me improve my designs. I spend my day conducting online research and preparing models in the studio. During short breaks between studies, conversations with friends on campus boost my motivation. Learning in this dynamic environment inspires me every day.
