ÇANAKKALE TOWN SQUARE AND ITS ENVIRONMENT URBAN DESIGN – FIRST PRIZE AWARD

The Çanakkale Municipality Building and Cultural Center Project was developed as an urban-scale design proposal aiming to ensure the continuity of the city’s green network and to strengthen the flow of public life. The project was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Çanakkale Municipality National Architectural Competition.

Urban Approach – Proposed City Spaces
The site establishes strong connections with the Government House located by the coastline, the promenade, and pedestrian routes. The existing Halk Bahçesi (Public Garden), wooded areas containing public buildings, and the sports grounds were integrated to create a continuous urban green park system. This strategy ensured a “Green Continuity Axis” connecting the Urban Green – Urban Square – Municipality and Cultural Center.

Urban Plateau – Layers of Public Space
At ground level, a City Square accommodates Wedding Halls, the Local Government Office, Exhibition Space, and a Ceremonial Area, forming a multifunctional civic core.
At +5.00 elevation, a Platform was designed as a second public square, expanding the building’s interface with the city. This elevated platform acts as a social spine, linking the foyer, café, exhibition area, cocktail space, mediatheque, and multipurpose hall.

The Children’s Club was positioned to maximize southern daylight exposure, complemented by an adjacent outdoor play garden.

Spatial Organization – Cultural Center and Municipality Building
The program was articulated into four separate blocks defined by a shared architectural language.
At the ground floor, Wedding Halls and their foyers are accessible from both the main square and the side street. On the upper platform, café, mediatheque, cocktail, and foyer areas serve as social spaces open to the public.

Overall, the design seeks to establish a transparent, multi-layered, and sustainable public environment, reinforcing the civic identity and collective urban life of Çanakkale.

Date / 2012

Client / Municipality of Canakkale

Location / Canakkale

Team / Prof. Dr. Bülent Tarım (M. Architect)
Köksal Aksoy (M. Architect)
Bülent Çetin (M. Architect)
Hakan Özbek (M. Architect)
Alper Aykam (Architect)