As conditions and needs are rapidly changing today, future-oriented decision-making models such as master plans are also evolving accordingly. Technopark İzmir emerged as a roadmap that blends unchanging core principles with adaptable conditions and the needs for a “flexible design” approach, which allow for “rapid adaptation” to respond easily to evolving demands.
MASTER PLAN APPROACH: ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS, PEOPLE-CENTRED
An environmentally conscious, people-centred and vibrant campus approach was adopted for Technopark İzmir South Campus. For this end, the existing natural features, geomorphological structure and vegetation cover of the area were primarily studied to determine the design approach. One of the most important geomorphological formations in the University and Technopolis Campus is the valley that runs through the middle. The valley dividing the area into halves, extends to the IZTECH campus to the north and joins the Tatar Creek in the south. There are 240 olive and pine trees in the area, of which 177 are olive trees. A spatial layout has been considered placing pedestrian access and green at the centre and campus buildings on the periphery.
ACCESS TO CAMPUS FROM THE CITY
Vehicular access to the campus is from the east, at the point where the second phase of the TGB area and the campus meet. Thus, the main entrance to the campus is easily accessible from both Çeşme and İzmir directions, and relationship of the area to the university is established in a strong way. In the future, when expansion of the TGB area is on agenda, this access point will serve both grounds. According to the master plan, main road and parking areas on the periphery of the campus will provide access and service to buildings on the periphery.
The Technopolis master plan will be a guideline for implementation of the first phase and for projects that be on the agenda during following phases.
CAMPUS AS THE ‘CORRIDOR OF INTERACTION’
The reception square at the main entrance is integrated into the main campus square. To increase interaction among functions and to support a more vibrant life within the campus, buildings are connected by a pedestrian spine called the ‘Interaction Corridor’. The Main Square is connected to the Interaction Corridor both on the west and on the south. The main square is the first stop for shuttle services, which are in the northern part and are planned to serve the campus. Pedestrians, drivers and cyclists entering the campus from the main entrance can therefore easily reach their destination on foot.
MACRO AND MICRO SCALES
Even if only single number of buildings are realised, spatial and social richness at micro scale is expected resulting from the planning process. With new contexts realized, social spaces will emerge to provide interaction on the periphery. Plan configuration of buildings has been kept flexible with the same approach. It is possible to have offices of different sizes on the same floor. As a design decision, micro-apartments will have designed outdoor environment sand well-integrated living setups, even when the first phase is completed.
PERMEABLE AND COURTYARD-ORIENTED R&D BUILDINGS
The administration building, which defines the campus image and functionally supports the reception square, is located on the main entrance. As the main square moves westwards along the ‘interaction corridor’, residential and commercial units are accessible supporting the pedestrian use. The R&D buildings are accessed on the corridor after the stream and continue along the periphery with focus on research and development. Transitions to the common green are provided from the permeable buildings. Communal areas like cafeterias are planned specificly for R&D buildings, supporting the ‘interaction corridor’ and active use of the green focus. Small courtyards are created within R&D buildings themselves: these are focal points to support collective production and interaction, that give identity to the campus.
PLASTICITY OF FACADES
To complement the spatial continuity of buildings, an integral identity is also intended for the plasticity of masses. It is essential to maintain a consistent architectural language on the facades. However, as with the planning approach, flexibility is key in design of facade elements, allowing them to vary according to orientation, spatial relationships and function.
Repetitive facade elements can adapt to new requirements that may arise during the design phase. These elements also consider climatic conditions and are articulated to ensure indoor comfort depending on their orientation. Interior spaces and semi-open communal areas differentiate on office facades, making them visually distinct from exterior. Rhythmic facade elements are predominantly white, but in these differentiated areas they take on the colour of the respective building block. In addition, colours of the entrance modules vary among the blocks, reinforcing a sense of identity, personal belonging and spatial recognition.
