INTERLOCKING HISTORIES / Şahnur Yüksel
This project reimagines the historical experience of Kayseri Castle through a modular and narrative-based spatial installation. Six workshop modules have been designed, each representing a different historical period of the castle: Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Ottoman, Republican, and Contemporary. The modules are inspired by an asymmetric diamond geometry and have been fragmented into interconnected units. Progressing along a zigzag route, these modules embody an uninterrupted historical journey.
The zigzag-shaped circulation line integrates with the interior through limited openings (2×1.2 m) created in the castle walls, allowing users to physically transition from one era to another. Each module is placed at a different angle, creating a dynamic spatial rhythm instead of repeating forms. These structures are intentionally designed with a “parasitic” approach.
The interior of each module is shaped by the workshop theme of its respective period. The Roman capsule includes a ceramic shaping area; Byzantine, mosaic panels; Seljuk, tile-making benches. The Ottoman module is dedicated to wood carving, the Republican module to handcraft and manual labor, and the Contemporary capsule features digital graphic design. Each space is ergonomically equipped to provide both functional and narrative experiences. Visitors exit the journey bearing traces of each era—an interlocking, living, and transforming history. 
