ARTE-FACTUM / ALİYE SULTAN ÖZTEMİR

The project concept is designed as a municipal building combined with additional supporting functions. When evaluated within this design framework, the site clearly demonstrates a strong potential to evolve into a new urban center. In shaping this transformation process, the historical Cer Atölyesi (Railway Workshop) has been taken as a key reference. Dating back to the early Republican period, the Cer Atölyesi was an industrial complex primarily used for wagon manufacturing and stands as a significant example of early industrial architecture. However, beyond its production role, the complex was expanded with facilities such as an apprenticeship school, a cinema hall, and a sports hall. Through these additions, it became one of the most important urban nodes supporting İstasyon Street in the city center. Rather than remaining an isolated factory detached from daily urban life, the Cer Atölyesi evolved into an integrated civic hub—intertwined with the city, feeding its social structure, and actively shaping everyday routines. It functioned not only as a place of production but also as a social and educational focus that influenced the rhythm of the city. Reflecting this architectural and urban approach, the proposed municipal building is conceived not merely as an administrative structure but as a potential urban center capable of activating its surroundings. To achieve this, the municipal complex is paired with a “mini academy” building, creating a multifunctional public environment that extends beyond bureaucratic use. This spatial organization aims to encourage continuous public interaction, learning, and social engagement, similar to the historical role of the Cer Atölyesi. By integrating educational, civic, and social functions, the project aspires to redefine the municipality as a living urban catalyst—one that interacts with the city, supports daily life, and contributes to the formation of a new, dynamic center.