TOBB ETU TECHNOLOGY CENTER

TOBB ETU Technology Center building, which includes the world’s largest model turbine design and test center TOBB ETU Hydro, studied within the scope of the master plan is a structure design, in which many functions are combined in a controlled manner, flexible, economical and at the same time impressive image identity required by campuses.

Designed as a part of 4th stage of TOBB ETU Campus Development Plan, Technology Center includes 82 laboratories ranging in size from 64 to 200 m2 for the departments of Mechanical, Industry, Computer, Electrical and Electronics, Biomedical, Materials Science and Nanotechnology Engineering. 12 studios and a design & model workshop were designed for the Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture.

It is planned that the technology center will be connected to other faculty units by a bridge from the reserve sections left at the end of the corridor, open to development in the future. The courtyard layout designed in the 1st stage buildings is also maintained as an architectural element.

The amphitheater designed next to the corridor and the entrance provides access to the indoor garden on the ground floor. The ceiling is exposed to ensure continuity of development in accordance with building supplies. Structural lines in architecture are continued with interior design.

The transparent façades of the shared spaces, the laboratories, the water turbine test center planned for the basement floor, as well as the indoor garden surrounded by patios can be perceived from almost every point in the building. The completely transparent indoor garden façade visually connects all the spaces. The lecture hall is designed in proximity with the corridor, and the entrance on the basement floor provides access to the indoor garden from the cafeteria. The aim is that the students will actively use the indoor garden that constitutes the heart of the building.

TOBB ETU Hydro is 12 meters high and it receives day light form the indoor garden and the façade, although it is located on the basement floor. The 7-meter-deep reinforced concrete box that is separated from the building with dilatation and covered with prefabricated planks contains the underfloor section of the mechanism and the water tank for the test center.

The basement floor has wide corridors that allow for vehicle entry. The laboratories are accessible through forklift corridors and cargo lifts that connect to each floor and receive service from the outside. Hardened concrete is used for the floor. Many shafts are planned for the unlimited development of the functions and the technical character of the building program. Provisions have been made for eventual expansion and/modification of the technical fittings, since this is essential to continually satisfy such needs. The technical fittings are exposed by avoiding the use of suspended roof systems, which is complementary with the architectural language.

Architectural Design: A Tasarım Mimarlik - Ali Osman Ozturk
Client: TOBB ETU
Location: Ankara, Turkey
Project Date: 2010 - 2013
Area: 23.000 m2
Structural Engineer: Yuksek Proje
Mechanical Engineer: Okutan Muhendislik
Electrical Engineer: Akay Muhendislik
Interior Design: A Tasarim Mimarlik
Fire Consultant: Alara Muhendislik
Landscape Design: On Tasarim
Consulting Firm: Tur-Sum Insaat A.S.
Construction Manager: Mustafa Tekinel
Photographs: Fethi Magara

Ali Osman Ozturk
Filiz Cingi
Harun Karabulut
Nil Ece Beken
Aslı Altintas
Hatice Bastabak
Ceyda Er Celik
Ersin Candan
Yasemin Unal
Cuneyt Ozturk
Niyazi Ayvaz