Kirsehir Culture Park Complex | 2024

The site is located along the Ankara-Kayseri road, on Kırşehir’s periphery, within the urban development axis. Previously part of the “General Directorate of Highways,” it was transferred to the Kırşehir Municipality for redesign into a social and cultural hub. The transformation involves adapting existing structures into a fragmented complex rather than a monolithic cultural center, emphasizing “institutionalization” through architectural and landscape integration.

The site borders the fast-moving highway to the south, enhancing visibility, while residential areas to the north and west support an inclusive urban profile. Healthcare campuses to the east further define the site’s context.

Site Analysis

The 25,000 m² site was previously used for highway operations, with structures including storage areas, administrative offices, and employee housing. Key elements include:
Nizamiye: A gabled-roof structure, repurposed as a library.
Storage Depots: These large, single-story buildings with thick masonry walls are preserved as exhibition spaces.
Workshop: Retained for multi-purpose events, while its administrative annex will be demolished.
Housing Blocks: Conventional structures, lacking architectural value, will be demolished.
Salt Depot: The semi-open stone structure is preserved, with its roof removed and repurposed as a cocktail lounge.
Mature pine trees, a distinctive feature, will be preserved, and additional landscaping will enhance the site’s natural aesthetic.

Adaptive Reuse

Kırşehir holds significant cultural value through its rich history and the “Ahilik” tradition, which emphasizes ethical values and community solidarity. The project aims to transform the site into a Culture Park that supports the continuity and diversification of these values. The park will offer spaces for:
Gastronomy
Cultural heritage preservation
The Ahilik tradition
Oral traditions and intangible cultural assets
Approach to Existing Structures

The adaptive reuse strategy prioritizes the preservation of historic structures, such as thick masonry walls, while incorporating contemporary interventions. The workshop’s steel-frame structure will be retained, and the façades of many buildings, originally covered in orange plaster, will reveal solid brick elements underneath. These bricks, essential for both aesthetic and structural integrity, will be carefully preserved.

By combining conservation with new uses, the design ensures the site’s historical layers remain visible, while contributing to the creation of a vibrant, culturally enriched space.

Category:Restoration/RenovationLocation:Kırşehir, TürkiyeArchitect: Doğan Türkkan, TurkiyeDesign Team: Doğan Türkkan, Hande Gül Türkkan, Çağrı Kara, Uğur Çalişkan3D Render:Doğan Türkkan| NODE Studio