THECKLA’S WAY 

This project is inspired by the city of Ottavia from Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities. Ottavia is a city hanging on ropes between two high mountains. In this city, life is balanced over a deep void, connected only by thin threads. I reimagined this “hanging” state through the life cycle of a creature I named “Theckla.” Designed within a 60x60x60 space, the project shows a continuous process of production and healing that keeps life going. The organization of the spaces is based on the creature’s needs. The cycle starts at the “Thread Collection Center” (open space), where raw materials are gathered. Then, the process moves to the “Thread Extraction Area” (enclosed space) to collect useless ropes. After that creature moves to the sleep area which is the most private part of the project. I designed this area to be the most closed and dark zone because the creature is weak during its healing phase and needs privacy. The “Leap” starts when the renewed threads are released from a high point. This movement represents the city’s closest contact with the ground and the building of new homes. After a resting period in a semi-open area, the cycle starts again. ​The triangular and pyramid shapes used in the design represent the “fine line between life and death” in Ottavia. The sharp lines of the triangles show the shaky but fascinating feeling of being on the ropes. Also, the straw-colored tones reflect the natural and temporary texture of the city. Walking here is very different from walking on a safe pavement; you feel the depth of the void at every step. Theckla’s Way is not just a path; it is an endless architectural story moving between destruction, healing, and rebuilding.