The project is developed not only to extend the institutional erudition and tradition of Istanbul Technical University to Famagusta, but also to create a setting for such ideals in a locally concerned understanding, with planning and architectural principles directly derived from and applied for Cyprus. The close ratio between site area and building program is interpreted into a homogeneously distributed figure ground composition, aimed to achieve a sustainable density of use throughout the campus. This urban design model extends open and semi open space network into a diffuse grid which encourages social encounters between students, lecturers and alike. Educational and research facilities are also interpreted in a holistic manner with respect to the ideals of ITU. Every building phase is developed to have the same levels of complexity and completeness as the campus whole. Architectural expression is developed considering climatic conditions of Cyprus into an urban scale structural compound; in which a network of frames characterizes the appearance of the built environment, rather than individual building blocks.
Proposed urban grid defines hierarchically sequenced outdoor spaces in transverse directions. This sequence is also developed considering service dependence of each function. Main cafeteria and library are positioned inside their own squares at opposite ends of the main alley. Another alley running perpendicular commences with the entrance square and ends with the accommodation area with dormitories and lodgment buildings. Sports hall and sports grounds define the southern tip of campus while also remaining in direct contact with the main alley. Similarly, the northern tip is defined with a library – conference compound laid around a courtyard, aligned on the same axis as the sports facilities. This diffuse and homogeneous distribution of spaces and flows of circulation renders a communicative and lively campus environment full of random encounters round the clock.
Educational and research buildings form a natural continuum of the campus circulation network. Outdoor streets continue as foyer and common hall spaces of indoor environments. Floor platforms dynamically overlap one another inside building envelopes, helping define scale relationships as one enters a building. These platforms recede back in northeast direction to open interior spaces towards the sea, creating vertical pockets between the building skin and program. These pockets do not only help moderate temperatures of the interior, but also serve as critical voids ventilating buildings in their entirety. Elements of vertical circulation, except for mandatory fire escape stairwells, are located in direct relationship with interiorized streets, directing their incoming flows into upper floors while serving as secondary platforms for socialization.
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