URBAN INTERFACE / YUSUF BANLI

Urban Interface is conceived not as a space serving only a specific part of the city, but as a complex of spaces designed for the use of every individual living within it. As inspired by its name, the primary aim of the project is to create an interface that is accessible and welcoming to people of all ages and social backgrounds. At the same time, the project proposes a spatial framework that enables interaction between two groups often living separately within the urban fabric: the young and the elderly. By encouraging coexistence and shared experiences, the project seeks to strengthen social continuity within the city.

The project consists of three main building masses. These structures are visually and functionally connected through a dome that covers the public square formed between them, enhancing the level of interaction among the spaces. Acting as both a physical and symbolic connector, the dome transforms the square into a protected yet open urban living room.

Upon entering the dome, visitors encounter a suspended platform positioned at the geometric and conceptual center of both the buildings and the enclosure. This platform, accompanied by carefully designed urban furniture, allows individuals with diverse needs and abilities to occupy the space freely and comfortably. By introducing a vertical differentiation between lower and upper levels, the platform plays a key role in guiding users directly to the functions they seek.

The ground level is composed entirely of functional units such as municipality offices, a café, and a kindergarten, supporting everyday urban life. In contrast, the units accessed via the platform are primarily social and cultural, including the council chamber, auditorium, and art gallery. Through this layered spatial organization, the project establishes a fluid relationship between functional necessity and social interaction, reinforcing the concept of the urban interface as a mediator between people, programs, and the city.