FUSION / MELİH BAŞOĞLU

FUSION Urban Hub | Sivas is conceived as a spatial interface responding to the socio-economic vulnerabilities of the city. The project aims to redefine the concept of municipal architecture by transforming it from a purely administrative building into a productive, participatory, and interaction-oriented urban center. Drawing from Sivas’s historical production culture, agricultural heritage, and contemporary labor-related challenges, the proposal establishes a new civic platform that integrates governance with everyday urban life.

The primary design problem addresses the limited participation of women in the workforce, the disconnection of young populations from productive processes, and the weakening relationship between agricultural activities and the urban environment. In response, the project is structured as a multi-layered urban organization that brings together women, youth, farmers, and entrepreneurs within a shared spatial framework. Municipal offices, workshops, educational spaces, entrepreneurial units, and public market areas are not treated as isolated functions; instead, they are interconnected through shared open spaces and permeable circulation axes that encourage social interaction and collective use.

The architectural form is generated through a grid-based system, which reinterprets the traditional courtyard typology of Sivas within a contemporary urban context. This system produces a flexible ground condition capable of accommodating multiple temporal scenarios, allowing the site to function as a public square, marketplace, exhibition area, or event space at different times. Building volumes are positioned within this grid as defining elements that shape and activate public voids rather than dominating them.

Climatic conditions play a significant role in the design approach. Considering Sivas’s harsh winter climate and hot summer periods, the project incorporates shaded circulation routes, controlled openings, and semi-open spaces to enhance environmental comfort. Facade systems and canopy elements are designed not only as climatic devices but also as architectural components that reinforce the civic identity of the complex.

Ultimately, FUSION Urban Hub is proposed not merely as a municipal building, but as a dynamic urban catalyst that promotes production, strengthens social interaction, and contributes to shaping the future of Sivas.