THE NEXUS / HATİCE SUDE BÜYÜKBAKIRCI

The Nexus is a contemporary Municipality and City Center project that acts as a strategic “bridge” between Sivas’s rich historical fabric and its dynamic university district, uniting the city’s administrative and social life under one roof. The project redefines the municipality building from a closed box where only bureaucratic processes take place into an “urban hub,” bringing together local people, students, and the administration in a transparent, accessible, and vibrant public space.

The architectural language of the design interprets the concept of the “courtyard,” referencing Anatolian and especially Seljuk heritage, from a modern perspective. The circular and inward-facing form creates a sheltered, shaded, and comfortable microclimate against the harsh continental climate, while this central void functions as a square that reinforces social interaction and a sense of “togetherness.”

The open-plan layout and glass facades reflect the principle of transparency in local administration within the physical space. In line with sustainability principles, the use of local materials and energy-efficient design decisions reinforce the building’s environmentally conscious identity. Ramps and circulation elements providing transitions between floors carry the public flow to every point of the building, offering a seamless experience. By blending traces of the past with the needs of the future, The Nexus aims to become a symbolic and functional landmark that will take its place in Sivas’ collective memory.