A third prize winning competition project developed for Olivelo and similar areas, which does address concepts like management, conservation and use, proposing answers and methods to question how human-being becomes part of nature.
A MATRIX OF INTERACTION: SITE MANAGEMENT MODEL
To protect the area of high ecological characteristics in Güzelbahçe, İzmir, with Urla in the west, Menderes in the south, Konak and Narlıdere districts in the east, it is a must to guide and contain human presence on site which is observed to concentrate in the area, in the right direction. The intention is to protect old olive production areas of the city in connection with the European Cycle Tourism Network and thus, a cooperation model is proposed. Basic determinants of site management as adopting stakeholder strategy, defining boundaries within the site, determining carrying capacities of natural and wildlife in the area have been assesed. An interaction matrix constructed together with other management elements such as ‘communication’, ‘guest’, ‘wildlife’, ‘water’ and ‘waste’ management was useful.
LEARNING, DYNAMIC, INNOVATIVE
OliVelo’s sub-programmes are designed in conjunction with the site management model. The spatial layout redefines the bsence of authority in the competition area in a new context and aims to make sense of this absence rather than fill it. Against a problematic approach that increasingly interferes with and consumes nature, dynamic and innovative design processes have been developed which aims to learn from nature as an element of balance. The proposed design is conceived as a system that can be developed and maintained by its future users.
THE NEW LANDSCAPE APPROACH
To preserve the valuable ecologic features of the area, interference with ecosystem bringing in seeds and saplings from outside was avoided. The idea is that natural cycles should naturally continue, and that human species should become part of this existing cycle as observer. While the ecological cycle of life continues in the area, an attempt has been made to define the rules and stages in which man can take part in this cycle. Through educational workshops and design choices, the main approach ensures that any object brought to the site should not touch the ground and that the cycles of all kinds of living elements on the site continue uninterrupted.
MOBILITY SCENARIO
Transportation on service and access roads within the site is designed with the priority of not interfering the fauna, pedestrians, bicycles and finally tractors etc. Transportation by service vehicles is secondary. The approach from the northern periphery of the site is planned as primary and the existing turnaround was provided by the service road. Access to site by bicycles and environmentally friendly vehicles has been supported, and it has been planned to connect with the EuroVelo Cycle Routes and the Peninsula Cycle Routes. Considering the carrying capacity of the site, parking areas, an organic market, a shuttle service, a bicycle repair service and an open car park were created in the periphery, owned by the Municipality of Güzelbahçe, according to the arrival preference of guests (bicycle, car and public transport).
FAUNA-PRIORITY PATHWAYS
Great care was taken to avoid incorporating design elements that could later create boundaries or thresholds within the area. Just as there are no barriers in nature apart from naturally formed thresholds, Olivelo was envisioned as a space without limits for flora and fauna. The natural traces left by animals and pathways shaped by atmospheric conditions, as well as natural clearings were defined as focal points and activity areas. Regions with dense biodiversity in the natural vegetation became viewing and experience zones. Every point within the project area was transformed into an experience space. These spaces offered visitors small surprises using the region’s existing natural materials, such as hammocks between trees, fallen log seating units, spots to listen to nature, and flora and fauna observation points.
PROGRAM LAYOUT
The overall scale of the proposed programme of needs emerged from the study of the lowest and most basic functions required by the site, completely independent of the upper limits of building rights in the area: The dream project envisages the settlement to become an educational space to observe and discover nature and ancient cultures. Since nature is a school in itself, the aim is to create an experience of learning, teaching and discovery, not only within proposed buildings, but also in the whole area. Functionally, the project is made up of the Welcome Area; Museum and Olive Workshops; Children’s Workshop; Workshop, Store and Classroom; Administration, Information and Archive; Bird Watching and Wildlife Observation Terrace.
ARCHITECTONIC EXPRESSIONS
With the awareness that nature itself is a school, the proposed program layout was given as a collection of elements scattered around what resembles a schoolyard. These units, physically detached from one another, establish appropriate spatial relationships with trees, ground surface, and natural life in their surroundings. The primary objective was to keep the total enclosed area significantly low and to leave as minimal a footprint as possible. The main architectural language was defined by elevating the structures off the ground. The foundations were established by using locally sourced rocks as base stones, onto which the structural elements were anchored. A lightweight timber structure was employed to ensure the continuity of natural life on the ground. The habitats of ground-dwelling reptiles and the natural airflow were cadred for and preserved, without intervention of architecture.
ENCOUNTERS, POSSIBILITIES
What if children’s playground and the goats’ path intersect to create an encounter and interaction right in mid day? What if Aunt Ayşe meets a European cyclist in the communal kitchen, and teaches how to cook specific herbs she collects in the countryside, they together allowing flavours spread beyond geography with their new discoveries? What if the risk of oxidation caused by the traditional method of stone-pressing olive oil is discussed with new, sustainable and environmentally friendly methods? What if a cyclist and a villager meet while picking mushrooms in the countryside; what if a shepherd whose skills have been improved shares his experience with a young person on a nature walk? What would do you think?
Olivelo’s main objective is to become an olive grove where there is no interference with wildlife, and the nature is preserved as if in shepherd-gatherer cycle, offering encounters, interactions and learning experiences for the conscious users.
COMMUTUAL
“I belong to all and I belong to no one. I was here before you came, and I will be here after you are gone.” Homer
I am the goat’s best friend, Olive.
We don’t want borders be set between us.
This is a forest and we are very happy to be present.
There are no limits here, there is no limit.
But there are some rules you have to follow.
If you want to live with us, you will not come in-between us,
you will not build walls in-between.
If you come in-between, we will be unhappy, our friends unhappy.
If the goat gets offended, how will you deal with grass that surrounds me?
Believe me, you will be much more tired then.
When I was a wild olive, they ingrafted me at top,
no worry, goats can’t reach my branches.
You need to say goodbye to machines, poisons, chemical fertilizers.
You don’t even need to water me, you know, rain is enough for me.
And producers living here will tell you all they know, no worry.
You can live here like us, like we lived for thousands of years.
Don’t you rather join us?
