CITADEL ART / Cansu Ceren Kulak

Artistic Modular Design for Kayseri Castle
In order to preserve and refunctionalize the historical and cultural texture of Kayseri Castle, I
designed a modular system that incorporates various branches of art. The core of my design is
based on a circulation setup that encourages user interaction and invites visitors to experience art.
Each module is dedicated to a different artistic discipline, creating spatial diversity. Workshops for
visual arts such as painting and pottery are supported by studios that allow hands-on experiences in
these areas.
The souvenir shop module plays a key role in the circulation. Visitors are required to pass through
this area before accessing the museum or exhibition spaces, highlighting the interaction between
producers and consumers. This concept continues on the upper floor. Visitors first observe the
painting and pottery studios and then move on to experience these arts in interactive shop areas
located further along the route.
At the rear side of the site, there is a painting exhibition space that can be accessed in two different
ways: independently from the outside or through the internal module connections. This flexibility
offers users multiple routes and enriches their spatial experience.
A separate module is dedicated to a digital museum, where technology-based tools provide a
platform to explore digital expressions of art. Thus, both traditional and contemporary art forms are
integrated within the same setting. All the designed modules aim to establish a new cultural hub
without harming the historical character of Kayseri Castle. The project envisions the castle not just
as a monument to be viewed, but as a vibrant and productive art center.