Wooden Agora is envisioned as a vibrant educational and cultural hub rooted in the woodcarving tradition of Kahramanmaraş. Designed to promote learning, collaboration, and cultural continuity, the project offers a sequence of interactive spaces that blend craft, education, and public engagement in a unified architectural language.
The experience begins with a public café that acts as an open gathering point. This space regularly hosts community talks, casual discussions, and cultural exchanges, encouraging the involvement of local residents and visitors. Adjacent to this, multi-purpose classrooms are designed specifically for children. Here, young participants engage in team-based activities using wooden modules, developing creativity and collaboration through play and hands-on learning.
For adults, the project offers woodturning and hand-carving workshops. After receiving basic training on small turning machines, participants are guided through traditional techniques of woodcarving, allowing them to develop personal craft skills. The handmade objects produced during these workshops are then displayed and sold at the gift shop, creating a self-sustaining system that values both process and product.
At the heart of the complex is a ramp-based museum, where circulation is shaped entirely by a continuous path of ascending and descending ramps. This spatial journey narrates the evolution of woodcarving in Maraş—from its historical roots to its modern applications. The museum also features large digital screens that present interactive presentations on how traditional techniques are adapted to contemporary design.
Through its layered programming, Wooden Agora functions not only as a center for craft but also as a living cultural platform. It empowers users of all ages to experience, create, and connect through wood—ensuring that the past continues to shape the future in an accessible, inclusive, and meaningful way.
