ARCH202 Architectural Design II Spring’25
Instructors
Dr. Ayşegül Kıdık, Lect. Nihan Muş Özmen, Dr. Ahmet Türel, Res. Asst. İrem Baz
Design Topic
In recent years, the increasing frequency of natural disasters has necessitated large-scale reconstruction efforts in many cities. This phenomenon underscores the imperative of reconstructing not only physical infrastructure but also the social pattern of affected communities. Within this context, educational facilities must transcend their conventional role as mere learning environments and be reimagined as resilient and sustainable spaces that contribute to social recovery and community well-being.
Accordingly, students will engage in the design of a “Community-Centric Educational Hub” in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş, critically examining the interrelations between spatial configuration, functionality, and user experience. A thematic educational hub is an educational institution structured around a distinct theme, discipline, or pedagogical framework, shaping both its architectural and programmatic elements. Each student will define their own thematic focus, thereby directing their design process and establishing the spatial organization, functional requirements, and architectural principles aligned with their chosen concept. Given the inherent variability in form, function, and pedagogical content, students are encouraged to develop diverse approaches that reflect their thematic orientations. Their proposals should rigorously address educational methodologies, user needs, technological and material considerations, sustainability, and accessibility. Ultimately, each project is expected to present an original, innovative, and participatory architectural response related to its specific context.
The primary expectation from the projects is their integration into the urban pattern and layers. In other words, the proposals should be evaluated based on how they contribute to the city’s silhouette, their height, and volumetric relationships, etc. with the surrounding buildings, and their connections to the urban fabric, including streets and the transportation network. Beyond mass formation, the projects are also expected to provide professionally designed spatial solutions that align with their functional requirements. The ultimate goal is to assess what each proposal contributes to the city in every aspect—socially, functionally, and spatially.
Target User Groups
Each student will define the age group(s) their thematic education hub is designed for, depending on their specific approach and educational concept. The education hub can cater to a wide range of age groups, from early childhood education to specialized secondary, vocational training, or old people, etc. based on the theme selected.