FloraCademy – Üngüt Endemic Flora Community Center
FloraCademy is a living culture and learning center located at the intersection of architecture, ecology, and education. Situated in the Üngüt region of Maraş, the center is designed to protect and promote the area’s rich diversity of endemic plants. Its architectural language reflects a deep respect for nature: built with local and sustainable materials, the center seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces through soft transitions. Open courtyards, natural ventilation, and earthy tones lend the building a calm and inclusive atmosphere.
The project comprises a main building of approximately 1,600 m² and a 800 m² long-span flexible hall, offering a highly adaptable setting for various programs. Simplicity and functionality are prioritized in the spatial layout. Educational units, workshops, and community gathering spaces are integrated in a cohesive plan, organized around a fluid circulation axis that connects educational, exhibition, research, and social interaction zones.
The long-span multi-purpose hall provides flexible and modular usage, suitable for seasonal markets, exhibitions, large-scale events, and a winter garden. The winter garden, positioned according to the light needs of the plants, allows visitors to experience nature even during adverse weather conditions. Through cosmetic production, textile dyeing, and botanical workshops, users engage in hands-on experiences with endemic plant species.
The atmosphere of FloraCademy is calm, welcoming, and rooted in a strong sense of place. Wooden surfaces, natural light filtered through local plants, and the scent of vegetation spreading through the surroundings make the architectural experience sensory and unforgettable. Natural light, ventilation, and endemic landscape design are central elements that strengthen the bond between architecture and nature. FloraCademy represents an innovative approach that blends ecological sensitivity with vibrant community life.
