Disaster Prevention and Education Centre, Istanbul, Turkey

The context in which the Istanbul Disaster Prevention and Education Centre is going to be situated, unlike many incredible places in the city of Istanbul, is not worthy of too much appreciation. That is why we do not torment ourselves with unnecessary efforts to fit it in the environment. Instead of ‘competing’ with huge and architecturally unarticulated constructions by which the construction site is surrounded, we choose to ‘ignore’ them. Then we form our own micro world, equally traditional and contemporary.

The new urban element is actually very old, and represents a value of the traditional local architecture that has been confirmed for centuries. In order to avoid making the Centre inconspicuous until one reaches its immediate vicinity, we set up a fountain in one of the lakes of the garden, which makes it special and recognizable even from a greater distance. The garden is formed by the communication of the length of the athletic track which surrounds it. Specific spaces alternate rhythmically on it: those that need to provide more peace for the students, on the outer edge, and the other ones on the inner edge, along the park. This space is at the same time a park, a garden and oasis, backyard and playground for both children and adults, cool shadowy place under the tree tops, then water in the lake, fish, and fountain... The park is a hall during beautiful weather, and in Istanbul, it is the larger part of the year. The classrooms are various, depending on the program for which they are reserved. Above each unit there is a cupola, another traditional, yet contemporary element used for setting up sun collectors on the sunny side. The outer edge of the house is protected with glass Venetian blinds, and the necessary dimness is secured with a system of curtains with guides on the ceiling. On the inner side there is a canopy which prevents excessive entrance of sun rays. The trees which are going to be planted particularly closely will have the same purpose.

The construction consists of steel pillars that follow the facade line and bear a steel barbecue, and all this in low-tech mode. The building will use all available systems of sustainability and we believe in its pioneer role in that area.