AOÇ Hangars reinterprets the vibrant public life that once characterized the AOÇ Central Zone in response to contemporary needs, transforming the area once again into a major attractive destination for Ankara.
Urban and Rural
A look at the history of AOÇ reveals that the institution was not only a pioneering and innovative production site, but also an important setting for social and cultural encounters during Ankara’s modernization. Situated at the intersection of the urban and the rural, the project seeks to sustain this distinctive character today. AOÇ Hangars goes beyond the conservation of the existing structures, transforming the site into a vibrant public destination once again. It offers a sequence of spaces where people of all ages and interests can spend time throughout the day and are encouraged to return.
AOÇ+
The AOÇ Central Zone is conceived not as a collection of individual buildings, but as an integrated urban whole. Rather than introducing arbitrary new functions into the intervention area, the project proposes complementary functions that address existing needs and reinforce the current program. At the heart of this strengthened public ensemble is the AOÇ Modern Museum. Supporting programs include the AOÇ Kitchen, AOÇ Greenhouse, AOÇ Sports Centre, AOÇ Performance Venue, AOÇ Library, and service facilities.
New and Collective
The AOÇ Hangars precinct is therefore not merely preserved but reactivated as a vibrant destination for recreation and leisure activities, animated by the people of Ankara who would use it on a continual basis. Through its daily and weekend activities, it also revitalizes the surrounding programs and public spaces. The sports facilities designated in the conservation master plan provide a strong framework for this transformation. Interwoven with spaces for culture, art, and social interaction, they establish a new urban public platform—one that is collective, inclusive, and particularly suited to Ankara, a city with a young population and a strong intellectual and cultural capacity.
Pivot Point
The open space defined between the hangars, located at the pivotal point of the complex, is transformed into one of the project’s principal public spaces. To give this space a stronger spatial definition, the linear greenhouse proposed along the east–west axis serves not only as a productive structure, but also as a threshold that frames the square, binds the groip of buildings together, and supports public life. On one side, the main foyer opens onto cultural programs such as the AOÇ Modern Museum and the AOÇ Library; on the other, the AOÇ Kitchen and the AOÇ Stage engage directly with the shared square. Designed as a flexible public ground, this space can accommodate a wide range of activities—from festivals and open-air concerts to outdoor exhibitions and seasonal fairs and markets.
