In contrast to horizontal masses, the terraces of vertical tower are designed to not only meet the observation requirements of the technical staff but also to offer visitors a stunning panoramic view of this boundless production site.
BUILDING ROOTED IN ‘PLACE’
It is obvious that sustainable design should not only be an endeavour to ‘improve’ through technological solutions specific to our day. This multi-layered approach to design is based on belonging to and taking reference from ‘place’. In Anatolia, the home to oldest settlements in history, there are countless examples of architecture that live in harmony with their surroundings, adapting to proper relations with climatic conditions, using topography and local materials efficiently. The context of SCADA building is construed through the ‘place’ to which it belongs.
(nZEB) BUILDING IN ARID AND FRAGILE GEOGRAPHY
The climatic and geographical characteristics of Karapınar are accepted as the main references for design. Extending over an area of 20 million square metres, it is clear that it is not meaningful to try to generate relatively very low amounts of energy in the management structure of a huge renewable energy facility, or to attempt to construct energy efficiency entirely through electro-mechanical systems. A nearly zero-energy building (nZEB) structure is targeted with approach that would consume less energy, thanks to passive design features that consider climatic inputs and minimise the environmental impact burden with the use of local and appropriate materials.
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
- To produce good design that is in harmony with place, climate and user,
- Avoid the madness and contradictions of the Anthropocene epoch,
- Tackle the ecological crisis not by ‘building more’ but by using less resources and energy,
- Not as ‘consume and repair’ but like ‘plan well, consume less’,
- To plan each phase of the project with integrated design approach with joint participation of project stakeholders.
CREATING ITS OWN TOPOGRAPHY
The vision of a building that tries to integrate and become in harmony with the place… In a flat geography like Karapınar, it was intended to develop a construction language that creates its own topography and integrates with surroundings, thanks to the building material and tectonics involved. Considering the harsh climatic conditions of Central Anatolia, the building, designed with a partially introverted layout, also creates a threshold impression with its introverted character. The plan scheme, which meets all the needs of employees in terms of operation, emphasises the relationship of the visitor experience with space and structure.
ARCHITECTONIC: SUPERIMPOSED BLOCKS
A design language that does not confine the experience to the interior of the building but seeks to dominate the entire space with its construction style and material characteristics. While tectonics of the building is predominantly horizontal, the functional units form their own masses. In a sense, it is a design process that appears to be superimposed, and this mass creates a new topography on the site. In contrast to the horizontal blocks, they not only meet the observation needs of technical staff but also offer visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of this boundless production site. Inside, especially in the experience areas, contrasting views of earthy vertical surfaces and glossy black horizontal surfaces are sought to emphasise the contrast between the raw, unadorned appearance and simplicity of the building material and the complex technology of energy production.
