Two Layered Street / Yusuf Emre Küçük
Spaces are not only places for shelter or work; they are also carriers of emotions, experiences, and collective memory. With this understanding, the project aims to bring together the historical texture of Kayseri Castle and the contemporary expressions of modern architecture. The design process was shaped by considering the castle’s environmental and cultural context, progressing with a modular structure inspired by the “Plug-In The Gap” system. The modules integrated into the northern and southern façad… In the initial phase of the design, abstract geometric studies were transformed into functional modules, forming the basic structure of the building. In contrast to the rhythmic and regular morphology of the castle wall and towers, the attached modules aim to break this repetition with an amorphous form language. The sharp geometric masses establish an architectural contrast, maintaining a respectful distance from the historical structure while presenting a contemporary architectural identity. The project constructs a two-layered street experience, connecting the lower level Artist Street with the upper modular units. Visitors encounter exhibition areas, art workshops, libraries, and social spaces throughout this spatial flow. On the southern façade, the route begins with an exhibition space reflecting the history of Kayseri Castle and traces of jewelry and textile art in Anatolia. It continues with a jewelry workshop, a product display and sales unit, a fabric painting workshop, and another sal… Two transition points between the southern and northern façades ensure continuity and permeability throughout the structure. The library modules on the northern façade offer an alternative study space for students, supported by terraces that enrich the open-air experience. One of the project’s main goals is to increase the young population around Kayseri Castle and reintegrate this historical structure into daily life. Based on the need for alternative study spaces, especially for high school students, th… This project functions as an interface uniting the historical and the contemporary, aiming to provide visitors with both an experience of the past and an active public space for engagement.
Narrative Paragraph – A Day Through the Eyes of a Student
When I arrive around the castle in the morning, the contrast between the historical stone walls and the contemporary modules immediately catches my eye. This structure, which we used to simply pass by, is now a living space for us. Today, I head to the library module on the northern façade to study. Natural light pouring through the glass surfaces and the view of the historical stone textures help me focus. During a short break, I go up to the terrace and watch the city from above it helps clear my mind.
