DEVIATION / Pelin Yayla
Deviation – Architectural Concept Statement
In a historical context marked by rigid walls and defensive geometries, Deviation emerges as a counter-narrative. The project draws inspiration from the orthogonal form of the fortress, yet challenges its rigidity by introducing a fluid, meandering circulation path. This pathway not only pierces the solidity of the historical structure but also redefines how space within boundaries can be experienced.
The design unfolds as a series of triangular modules dispersed along a curvilinear axis. These fragments break the dominance of the rectangle, creating moments of pause, interaction, and reflection. Each unit is carefully positioned to allow flexibility of use — serving as spaces for rest, gathering, or exhibition — while maintaining visual and spatial continuity.
The deviation is not merely formal. It is a conceptual stance — a gentle rebellion against absolute control. While the fortress once stood as a symbol of separation and exclusion, the new intervention invites inclusion, slowness, and accessibility. The path respects the memory of the place while carving a new experience that embraces movement and softness.
Users are encouraged to navigate the site not in haste, but with attentiveness. The winding geometry slows down the pace, prompting awareness of one’s surroundings. The elderly, in particular, are considered primary users; the soft curves and modular resting points offer a comfortable rhythm of movement, encouraging longer engagement.
Ultimately, Deviation is a spatial dialogue — between old and new, rigid and fluid, memory and experience. It is not a replacement, but a reinterpretation — one that transforms a once-closed structure into an open, porous system for collective presence and quiet reflection.
