RADIAURA MUSEUM / Şebnem Bahçeci
Radiaura Museum
This project focuses on the design of a multifunctional Agricultural Museum located in the Üngüt district of Kahramanmaraş. The conceptual foundation of the project is based on the tree metaphor—drawn from nature—and its spatial counterpart, the core strategy. The tree symbolizes a connection between past, present, and future through its roots, trunk, and branches, respectively. In this context, the museum functions not only as a space for documenting traditional agricultural practices, but also as a platform for presenting contemporary methods and fostering the development of innovative agricultural approaches.
The core strategy aims to establish the museum as more than just a physical center; it serves as a focal point that disseminates knowledge, culture, and social interaction throughout its surroundings. Incorporating an incubation center, educational units, and open public spaces, the museum contributes to the formation of an inclusive and active public environment for the local community.
The architectural approach prioritizes the reinterpretation of local identity through a contemporary lens. The stone cladding on the ground level references traditional building techniques of the region, while the use of glass surfaces on the upper levels enhances visual permeability and openness. The roof structure is specifically designed in response to the continental climate of Kahramanmaraş, incorporating articulated forms that promote natural ventilation and enable the controlled drainage of rainwater, thereby achieving both functional efficiency and formal expression.
The Üngüt Agricultural Museum stands as a cultural core that strengthens urban memory, embodies the principle of sustainability, and bridges the local with the global through a contemporary architectural narrative.
