URBAN PALIMPSEST / ZEHRA ZEYNEP KOYUNCU

The project reimagines the Sivas Municipality building not merely as an administrative facility, but as a vital civic organism that actively contributes to urban life and social interaction. Located along the Mısmıl River, the design addresses the current condition of the site as an underutilized, car-oriented riverside zone by transforming it into a lively and inclusive urban center. Rather than functioning as a closed institutional structure, the municipality is conceived as an open and permeable environment that invites citizens to gather, move, and interact throughout all seasons. The concept of vitality serves as the guiding principle of the project, shaping both architectural and landscape decisions to create a continuous relationship between public space, built form, and the natural river ecosystem. Public plazas, pedestrian paths, and green terraces are strategically integrated with administrative and social functions, encouraging daily use beyond formal working hours. This spatial integration allows the building to support civic life not only through governance, but also through cultural, social, and recreational activities. In response to Sivas’s climatic conditions, the project incorporates sheltered outdoor spaces, transitional zones, and adaptable landscape elements that ensure year-round usability. At the same time, references to the city’s cultural context are embedded in the architectural language, strengthening the sense of local identity and belonging. The Mısmıl River is redefined as an active urban edge rather than a passive boundary, becoming a catalyst for movement, interaction, and ecological awareness. Through its adaptive design strategy, the municipality evolves into a living environment that breathes with the city, sustaining human presence and fostering social connection. Ultimately, the project positions the Sivas Municipality as a generator of vitality, transforming governance into an everyday urban experience and reinforcing the riverfront as a dynamic and resilient civic landscape.