At first glance, the Earthquake Memorial seems to rise organically from the park it inhabits, as if the earth has folded and ruptured to reveal this new form. The design’s topographical interpretation mimics the earth’s unpredictable movements, with a shell-like structure that appears to have been thrust upwards, creating an immediate tension between solid and void, between what is seen and what is felt.
The monolithic, irregular concrete walls that dominate the ground floor are perhaps the most striking feature of the memorial. These walls are not merely structural; they are symbolic. Their irregularity is a direct reference to the chaotic forces of nature that once wreaked havoc on this land, a visual echo of the destruction that the city of Bolu has endured. These walls are the guardians of memory, insulating and protecting the spaces within while allowing glimpses of the outside world through carefully curated openings. The play of light and shadow through these voids varies the spatial experience, making each visit to the memorial a unique encounter with the past.
The contrast between the heavy, grounded nature of the concrete walls and the lightness of the upper volume comes to the fore. The horizontal volume, defined by a concrete grid and clad in reflective glass, floats above the weight of history below. This upper structure, acts as a beacon—literally and metaphorically. Its reflective facade captures and diffuses the surrounding landscape, making the building appear almost ephemeral as if it could dissolve back into the earth at any moment. Yet, this very volume becomes a lantern for the park, illuminating the way forward and highlighting the transformation of a site of tragedy into a vibrant public space for reflection and dialogue.
Inside, the material palette is restrained yet deliberate. Basalt stone flooring grounds the visitor in a sense of permanence, while the reflective glass surfaces on the upper floor create a sense of lightness and openness. This juxtaposition of materials mirrors the overall design intent: a balance between memory’s weight and hope’s lightness.
Category:Museums and Cultural BuildingsLocation:Bolu, TurkiyeArchitect: Ali Burak Yanardağ, TurkiyeArchitecture Office:Ali Burak Yanardağ, YNRDGLead Architects:Ali Burak Yanardağ, Burcu SemizoğluLandscape Architects:CAPSDesign Team: Ali Burak Yanardağ, Burcu SemizoğluContractor:EMÇ, Ankara, TurkiyeClient: Bolu MunicipalityPhotographer: YNRDG
