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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Republic Square of Mardin in Turkey by 4M SALALI ARCHITECTSMay 3rd, 2019 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS Republic Square of Mardin designed by Ankara/Istanbul based office 4M Salalı Architects with an area of 9.000 sqm, aims to create a new cultural focus in the heart of historical city of Mardin by transforming a central location surrounded by many precious historical buildings. The project’s construction phase has begun and it is planned to be completed in September 2019. Republic Square of Mardin is located in Mardin which is situated in the south-east of Turkey. Mardin is one of the most distinctive cities in Turkey with reflections of the cultural influences of various dynasties throughout the history. Historical buildings such as mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and caravanserais in the city, represent different religious beliefs and cultures. Also, it hosts stone houses which have been listed as world heritage sites. Republic Square of Mardin is designed to be an accessible, extroverted and modern focal point in harmony with the historical texture of Mardin, which has hosted numerous civilizations in its thousands of years of history.  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS
 Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS 4M Salalı Architects, has solved a 5×5 meters diagonal system on the design process of the square which is located on the north – south axis to create inviting paths between the square and the environment. A specially designed graphic work at the center of the square within the system is used to inform visitors about Mardin. The direction of the historical structures are shown around the circle where the provincial and district borders of Mardin are placed which is located on a compass pointing north of the square. The fountain at the very center of the circle and “As-salamu alaykum” inscription that is interpreted with Kufic lettering are welcomes the visitors. At the west of the square there are pools that are appropriately altered to the system used in the flooring, and an installation consist of 18 masses in the form of rectangular prisms which are located at centers of the pools. In memoriam of 18 greatest dynasties throughout the history of Mardin, each prism symbolizes one of them. The art wall, located just north and west of this area, is considered to carry a relief work regarding the history of the Turkish Republic, which is articulated on this deep-rooted history.  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS Existing Atatürk monument is relocated to southeast of the museum garden in order to improve the monument’s perceptibility and obtain integrity for the square. Also, its importance is emphasized by the reflection surface of the water element used on the flooring of the monument. In order to strengthen the relationship of the square with the traditional urban texture, a design concept that is facing outward and interacts with its environment and coherent with the city’s traditional roots is adopted. Also, local and suitable building materials are preferred in the design. Dead end on the west of the square is linked to the seconder square at the entrance of the Culture Street by a bridge which is named after the square, Republic Bridge that is designed in order to obtain maximum permeability. The green area and urban furniture on the bridge not only creates a space for visitors to relax, but also allows them to experience the square from the upper level. Besides its functional features, the bridge symbolizes Mardin’s “bridge” mission between different civilizations throughout the history. There are other landscaping areas that support the bridge to provide green space necessity of the square.  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS Accessibility, which is one of the most important features of public space designing, is prioritized on the design phase of the project. The square is designed with a slight inclination for disabled visitors and supported by both ramps and elevators. By transferring the traffic load of the street located on the south of the square to another street the historic city of Mardin is intended to turn into a pedestrian city. A sixty nine car capacity car park is hidden under the area by using the natural slope. Hence, the city center is to be removed from the car traffic and pedestrian circulation is aimed to be strengthened.  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS A modular stage area is designed for concerts and other activities on south of the museum stairs and east of the bridge. With the modularity of the stage, it is aimed to prevent the loss of space in the square when there isn’t any activity. 4M Salalı Architects targets to create a historical, cultural, accessible and modern public space located in one of the most historical and central areas of such a valuable city, in order to commemorate the city of Mardin in the world literature and to leave the legacy to next generations with the new design of the area.  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS  Image Courtesy © 4M SALALI ARCHITECTS
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Categories: Cultural Center, public spaces, Urban Design |
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