Movement Of The Void

The abandoned Hilton Hotel in Alsancak, Izmir, is being reopened. Alsancak lacks parks and green spaces outside of Kültürpark and Kordon. The project aims to maintain the continuity of green spaces and to perpetuate the concept of play, which has become etched in Hilton's urban heritage.

Play areas have been created to work in integration with the Metropolitan Municipality.

The project's core concept is to transform the Hilton into a potential arena where movement, encounters, play, and life unfold. Creating courtyards at different elevations ensures continuity of play spaces, while the courtyards transform into play terraces within the skyscraper's towers, addressing the constant and changing nature of play.

Hürriyet Boulevard, the axis connecting the Hilton and Kültürpark, has been pedestrianized and transformed into a play street.

The aim is to integrate play into the municipality's tedious and stressful environment with an innovative approach, transforming the building from a "serious box" into a source of discovery and joy. Flexible spaces have been created, and recreational and play areas have been added.
The concept of play is based on the physical transformation of playgrounds, as well as the consideration of rest, sports, art and entertainment as play.Digital games, hologram platforms, art workshops, children's theaters, dance and music studios, toy museums, open-air cinemas, individual therapy areas, group and physical play areas are included under the concept of games.

Project Type: Architectural Reuse
Program: Metropolitan Municipality and Play
Project Title: The Movement of the Void
Location: Hilton Hotel, Konak, Izmir, Turkey
Design Area: 45,950 m²
University: Dokuz Eylül University – Faculty of Architecture
Academic Year: 2025
Project Status: Academic / Conceptual Design
Design Software Used: Archicad, Adobe Photoshop

- Nesrin TİNCİ (Designer)

- Prof. Dr. Yenal Akgün (Lecturer)
- Prof. Dr. Gül Deniz Dokgöz (Lecturer)
- Prof. Dr. İlknur Türkseven Doğrusoy (Lecturer)
- Research Assistant Fulya Selçuk (Lecturer)