PAXORA / Nesibe Dilan Yiğit
What is a dwelling? What is needed for a place to be a dwelling? Thes questions were asked at the beginning of the project to understand the design challenge. “… bauen also means at the same time cherish and protect, to preserve and care for, specifically to till the soil, to cultivate the vine.” In the light of Heidegger’s thinking, the question “what is most cherished in Sinasos?” was asked to design a “dwelling” for the area. Area selection was made after the question was answered as “religion and nature”. Area between two churches was selected in the aim of bringing both religions, Islam and Christianity, together as it was always like in Sinasos. After area selection was made, a groundscraper which blends with nature was designed. As the area was surrounded by natural beauty “fairy chimneys,” form decision was made according to formations of them. Two forms were located to the sides, one is near to cave church and other one according to qibla for mosque area. Common area was placed between fairy chimney areas and the dwellings inside the design were made to see fairy chimneys all over the place to make the visitors feel the atmosphere of the area. Roof structure was decided with roof opening to get the natural sunlight in gallery spaces, workshops, and dwellings. Central square was designed in the middle to create an environment for people from diverse backgrounds to interact and socialize. As a route between the churches pass through this square, visitors could experience the activities of different religion while passing this route. with this design, connection point for both Christians and Muslims were created for them to experience the other religion too.
