Fragmented blocks, multiple urban terraces, sculptural ramps, colourful vertical circulation path creates a vivid, dynamic and playful environment for the new Çaycuma Science Center in Turkey, designed by ONZ Architects.  

ONZ Architects' proposal is based on different design approach with its open, transparent and inviting structure while other science centers are intended to create a serious, vulgar and inactive environment due to their identities or mission in the context. The Çaycuma Science Center Architectural Competition was an open architectural competition organized by Çaycuma Municipality, a town in the Black Sea region of Turkey and the team has won 2nd Honorable Mention in the competition.

From the street level showing multiple platforms

A 2,000 square-meters science center was asked to be designed on a site with dense forest texture where a portion without trees also existed. The proposal by ONZ Architects won the second honorable prize among seventy seven projects which applied for the competition. 

Site plan

The studio focuses on a design with the dream of a science center where people of all ages, but especially children can learn while having fun, question things and get excited in their search for answers, where they can explore new horizons while experimenting and sharing with others, as a starting point, the project aims to reflect this enthusiasm and excitement architecturally. 

Schemes I relation with the nature

One of the main objectives of the design is to involve nature into this process and to add another important stop on this journey of scientific discovery. The green texture of the competition site features a significant potential in this respect. 

The design, by protecting all the trees on the site and by adding new ones to the green texture, creates an environment for scientific quests that is surrounded by nature.

Axonometric view

In Çaycuma Science Center project, the flow of indoors and outdoors, and relationship with nature have been prioritized. By flowing onto each other the lower square, urban platform and outdoor exhibition areas constitute a dynamic experience for the visitors.

Function diagram

The sheltered lower square, away from the traffic and urban hustles, creates a public space where the visitors can relax surrounded by green, away from stress and noise of the city, and where children can play safely. 

Lower ground floor plan

The urban platform and lower square besides being a significant urban value for the city, contribute to circulation flexibility of the Science Center. The urban platform invites the visitors in the building through the same level from the adjacent road or, when continued from outside takes them to the open air amphitheater.

Upper ground floor plan

This amphitheater also supported by the café upstairs, enables the users to enjoy a cup of coffee together or watch a movie or a scientific performance. The accessibility and flow of open platforms render this building an attraction spot not only for the functions it houses inside but for the shared public life; an enjoyable space to go and relax, chat with friends and breathe in the urban atmosphere.

Axonometric view

The science center is a multi-functional building, in which the subunits such as temporary and permanent exhibitions, educational units, outdoor exhibition areas, the Foucault pendulum and the natural spaces are located in such a manner that allows the distribution of crowded visiting groups in the building without disturbing each other. 

1st floor plan

The access to the building is provided from two different levels. This division allows different units to serve independently, yet all units are connected from both interior and exterior. The service spaces and service entrance are located at the east façade, and the façades facing nature host the public activities. Thus the public life and the green texture are carried through the building via urban platforms.

Axonometric view

The permanent exhibition hall can be directly accessed from the lower square. Service spaces and storage units are mostly located on this level. The service entrance is from the east façade in order not to block the visitor circulation. 

The outdoor exhibition hall is directly connected to the exhibition hall. The exhibition hall’s enclosed west façade and the homogeneous natural light coming from the opening at the north façade enables an easier perception of the exhibited material.

Areal view

The temporary and permanent exhibition halls with the volume featuring the Foucault Pendulum continues through all floors. The double height and the L shaped volumes in these spaces create a visual and physical continuity. 

Having a continuous connection with the exhibition halls, the interior and exterior public and recreational spaces, the changes on the pendulum’s swing caused by the rotation of the Earth can be followed constantly while visiting the museum.

Perspective- urban platform

This space can also be used as an expansion for the temporary exhibition hall or an exhibition space for the products designed in the educational units if needed. The urban elevator connecting all levels is not only a vertical circulation element but a landmark for the Science Center.

Exhibition hall

As a unit to direct and inform the users about the city and the science center, the Visitor Center proposed additionally to the program is designed at the upper level. This center with a separate entrance is connected to the rest of the building via the urban elevator and the urban platforms. 

Perspective-Foucault Pendulum 

The Foucault Pendulum, which holds a significant importance for the center, can be viewed from the lower floor, upper floor, outdoors and the upper platform. Besides the symbolic value of the pendulum, its visibility and perceptibility from all interior and exterior spaces becomes important because the pendulum’s swing takes a long time. 

Front elevation

Educational units are positioned at the upper floor in order to provide an isolated study environment for users. These units procure a controlled and quiet ambiance with the exclusive inner courtyard while being in touch with the whole building. 

Elevation

Fully operable façade design of the inner courtyard provides a flexible system that can expand the multi-purpose hall and the classrooms when needed. The pedestrian bridge that leads visitors from the educational units to the green is designed to support the education by experiencing nature first hand. With this bridge, the educational units can also function independently from the rest of the building.

Elevation

Back elevation

Longitudinal section

Transversal section

All panels covering the project

Project Facts

Project name: Çaycuma Science Center

Architects: ONZ Architects

Design team: Zeynep Öktem, Onat Öktem, Melih Tokaç, Figen Yücel, Esat Can Meker, Okan Mutlu Akpınar

Landscape & Civil Engineer: Murat Z. Memlük, Zafer Kınacı

Consultant: Ekin Çoban Turhan

Location: Çaycuma, Zonguldak, Turkey

Date: 2016

Status: Competition

All images © ONZ Architects

> via ONZ Architects