“Always the best individual solution”
A competence center for sustainable development and research is planned to be built on a hilltop site in the Turkish capital of Ankara. ONZ Architects respected the challenging topography and developed an uncompromisingly sustainable concept.
Last updated: June 29, 2015 Ankara, Turkey
A competence center for sustainable development and research is planned to be built on a hilltop site in the Turkish capital of Ankara. ONZ Architects respected the challenging topography and developed an uncompromisingly sustainable concept.
The form of the wings relates to the functions within. The terraced wing houses mainly workshops, storage rooms, and test labs – spaces that do not necessarily require daylight or permanent artificial lighting. The floors in this wing penetrate deep into the hillside, 15 to 20 meters. Office space is also planned for the front sections of these floors. The terraced roofs are planted, which adds insulation. It’s a natural way to save heating and cooling energy. The green roofs also provide a place for open-air experiments – or for employee recreation. Because the terraced structure follows the original profile of the hill, the wing blends into its natural surroundings.
Project author Zeynep Öktem places the project’s strategy in context: “We see sustainable construction as much more than implementing sustainable technologies. One must seek the best individual solution for each project from the very start.
Read feature interview in 4th Holcim Awards 2014/2015 (flip-book)