{"id":8397,"date":"2026-06-25T21:49:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T21:49:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/?p=8397"},"modified":"2026-06-30T11:56:38","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T11:56:38","slug":"zen-haven-simge-asker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/2026\/06\/25\/zen-haven-simge-asker\/","title":{"rendered":"Zen Haven \/ Simge Asker"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gradients of mind is a nature-integrated “escapecore” design that explores the impact of architecture on human psychology and mental transformation processes. Designed within the scope\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0ARCH\u00a0102\u00a0course,\u00a0the\u00a0project\u00a0draws\u00a0inspiration\u00a0from\u00a0peaceful\u00a0personal\u00a0experiences\u00a0such as swimming in the sea, stargazing, and feeling secure. When the presentation board and physical\u00a0model\u00a0are\u00a0examined,\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0evident\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0project\u00a0is\u00a0masterfully\u00a0embedded\u00a0into\u00a0a cliffside\u00a0coastal\u00a0topography,\u00a0inviting\u00a0the\u00a0user\u00a0on\u00a0an\u00a0internal\u00a0journey\u00a0by\u00a0isolating\u00a0them\u00a0from\u00a0the outside world.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0design\u00a0concept\u00a0is\u00a0built\u00a0upon\u00a0the\u00a0idea\u00a0of\u00a0\u201cthe\u00a0transformation\u00a0of\u00a0mental\u00a0layers\u00a0into\u00a0spatial layers The spatial layout begins with a “purification space” where the user sheds worldly anxieties,\u00a0continues\u00a0with\u00a0a\u00a0“meditation\u00a0room”\u00a0where\u00a0they\u00a0plunge\u00a0into\u00a0deep\u00a0contemplation,\u00a0and culminates\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0serene\u00a0“zen\u00a0space”\u00a0where\u00a0they\u00a0fully\u00a0integrate\u00a0with\u00a0nature.\u00a0Diagrams\u00a0and\u00a0design process visuals clearly\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0how this tripartite spatial transition is manifested through distinct\u00a0geometries\u00a0and\u00a0shifting\u00a0levels.\u00a0Embracing\u00a0a\u00a0sustainable\u00a0and\u00a0eco-friendly\u00a0approach,\u00a0the structure highlights local materials such as stone and wood.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In\u00a0the\u00a0physical\u00a0model,\u00a0the\u00a0steeply\u00a0sloped\u00a0terrain\u00a0created\u00a0with\u00a0cardboard\u00a0layers\u00a0illustrates\u00a0how\u00a0the structure grips onto the topography in steps. The angular orientation of the white masses and the expansive windows are\u00a0optimized\u00a0to present the horizon and the seascape to indoor users from diverse perspectives. Consequently, through mass movements, level differences, and a sequential spatial flow, Gradients of Mind stands out as a highly original and successful design study\u00a0that\u00a0embodies\u00a0the\u00a0different\u00a0stages\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0human\u00a0mind\u00a0into\u00a0an\u00a0architectural\u00a0form.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Zen\u00a0Haven\u00a0is\u00a0a\u00a0holistic\u00a0retreat\u00a0and\u00a0collective\u00a0living\u00a0space\u00a0(OBA)\u00a0design\u00a0that\u00a0brings\u00a0together\u00a0the\u00a0calming\u00a0power\u00a0of\u00a0nature\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0minimalist\u00a0aesthetics\u00a0of\u00a0architecture.\u00a0Designed\u00a0by\u00a0Simge\u00a0Asker\u00a0within\u00a0the\u00a0scope\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0ARCH102\u00a0“Introduction\u00a0to\u00a0Architecture”\u00a0course,\u00a0the\u00a0project\u00a0offers\u00a0a\u00a0gathering\u00a0hub\u00a0that\u00a0supports\u00a0personal\u00a0growth\u00a0by\u00a0centering\u00a0on\u00a0meditation,\u00a0yoga,\u00a0and\u00a0mindfulness\u00a0practices.\u00a0Situated\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0steep\u00a0topography\u00a0next\u00a0to\u00a0a\u00a0riverbed,\u00a0the\u00a0settlement\u00a0becomes\u00a0a\u00a0seamless\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0environment\u00a0without\u00a0harming\u00a0it,\u00a0thanks\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0strong\u00a0silhouette\u00a0relationship\u00a0it\u00a0establishes\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0natural\u00a0slope\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0land.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0selection\u00a0of\u00a0materials\u00a0directly\u00a0supports\u00a0the\u00a0project’s\u00a0“Zen”\u00a0philosophy.\u00a0The\u00a0timber\u00a0slat panels\u00a0used\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0facade\u00a0and\u00a0floor\u00a0coverings\u00a0offer\u00a0a\u00a0warm,\u00a0natural,\u00a0and\u00a0timeless\u00a0texture,\u00a0while\u00a0the\u00a0stacked\u00a0stone\u00a0preferred\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0foundation\u00a0walls\u00a0and\u00a0exterior\u00a0cladding\u00a0allows\u00a0the\u00a0structure\u00a0to\u00a0take\u00a0root\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0soil\u00a0and\u00a0connect\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0local\u00a0architectural\u00a0vernacular.\u00a0As\u00a0seen\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0Solar\u00a0Analysis\u00a0Diagram,\u00a0the\u00a0sloped\u00a0roof\u00a0form\u00a0and\u00a0wide\u00a0glass\u00a0openings\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0mass\u00a0are\u00a0optimized\u00a0according\u00a0to\u00a0seasonal\u00a0solar\u00a0movements.\u00a0Controlled\u00a0shaded\u00a0areas\u00a0are\u00a0created\u00a0during\u00a0the\u00a0summer\u00a0months,\u00a0while\u00a0natural\u00a0light\u00a0is\u00a0allowed\u00a0to\u00a0penetrate\u00a0deep\u00a0into\u00a0the\u00a0interior\u00a0spaces\u00a0during\u00a0the\u00a0winter\u00a0and spring.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When\u00a0the\u00a0Access\u00a0and\u00a0Circulation\u00a0Diagram\u00a0is\u00a0analyzed,\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0observed\u00a0that\u00a0visitor\u00a0and\u00a0user\u00a0movements\u00a0are\u00a0fluidly\u00a0organized\u00a0in\u00a0connection\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0river,\u00a0green\u00a0areas,\u00a0and\u00a0parking\u00a0zones.\u00a0Floor\u00a0plans,\u00a0sections\u00a0(AA,\u00a0BB,\u00a0CC\u00a0sections),\u00a0and\u00a0elevations\u00a0clearly\u00a0reveal\u00a0the\u00a0multi-level\u00a0and functional\u00a0organization\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0structure.\u00a0While\u00a0collective\u00a0sharing\u00a0and\u00a0meditation\u00a0spaces\u00a0are\u00a0located\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0upper\u00a0levels,\u00a0the\u00a0lower\u00a0levels\u00a0are\u00a0supported\u00a0by\u00a0terraces\u00a0and\u00a0relaxation\u00a0corners\u00a0opening\u00a0up\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0river\u00a0view.\u00a0By\u00a0transforming\u00a0the\u00a0elevation\u00a0differences\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0terrain\u00a0into\u00a0functional\u00a0terracing,\u00a0the\u00a0design\u00a0both\u00a0preserves\u00a0privacy\u00a0and\u00a0offers\u00a0users\u00a0a\u00a0continuous,\u00a0peaceful\u00a0spatial\u00a0experience\u00a0and\u00a0visual\u00a0flow\u00a0along\u00a0the\u00a0river.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gradients of mind is a nature-integrated “escapecore” design that explores the impact of architecture on human psychology and mental transformation processes. Designed within the scope\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0ARCH\u00a0102\u00a0course,\u00a0the\u00a0project\u00a0draws\u00a0inspiration\u00a0from\u00a0peaceful\u00a0personal\u00a0experiences\u00a0such as swimming in the sea, stargazing, and feeling secure. When the presentation board and physical\u00a0model\u00a0are\u00a0examined,\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0evident\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0project\u00a0is\u00a0masterfully\u00a0embedded\u00a0into\u00a0a cliffside\u00a0coastal\u00a0topography,\u00a0inviting\u00a0the\u00a0user\u00a0on\u00a0an\u00a0internal\u00a0journey\u00a0by\u00a0isolating\u00a0them\u00a0from\u00a0the outside world.\u00a0 The\u00a0design\u00a0concept\u00a0is\u00a0built\u00a0upon\u00a0the\u00a0idea\u00a0of\u00a0\u201cthe\u00a0transformation\u00a0of\u00a0mental\u00a0layers\u00a0into\u00a0spatial layers The spatial layout begins with a “purification space” where the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":8442,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8397","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-s26-arch102"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8397","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8397"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8397\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8926,"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8397\/revisions\/8926"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8397"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8397"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/archworks.agu.edu.tr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8397"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}