Gatherfold

This site, once home to a prison in the heart of the city, turned into an undefined urban void after the building was demolished. Due to the high building density around it, the area also faces a significant parking shortage.
Based on these conditions, the design introduces an urban park that defines this empty space, supported by a city-scale parking facility and a metro connection. With its location close to the municipality, the site is highly visible and easily accessible, aiming to become a vibrant public park that can host various events and activities for the city.
Gatherfold is based on the idea of public interiority, where indoor and outdoor spaces merge and architecture becomes part of the landscape.
The terrain is shaped through cutting, lifting, and folding, forming a gentle bowl in the center that draws people in.
Above this center, the folded roof canopy covers key public functions such as the performance hall, exhibition spaces, and co-working units, providing shade and access.
Openings in the roof allow natural light to reach the lower levels, while the structure maintains a clear relationship with the surrounding urban park.
Multiple entrances at different levels and gentle slopes allow the building to act as an extension of the park — creating a public space that brings people together and supports movement and shared experience.
With underground programs and semi-open areas, the structure becomes a permeable social hub that stays active throughout the day. Gatherfold offers a dynamic meeting point on an urban scale, open to both locals and visitors alike.

Total Project Area: 70,000 m²
Land Use: ~70% green space, ~30% built structure
Building Levels: 2 floors upperground, 2 floors underground, directly connected to metro
Access: Multiple entrances from different levels
Structural System: Steel shell structure reinforced concrete foundation
Parking Capacity: ~1,000 vehicles
Daylight Strategy: Roof openings and gallery voids provide natural light to underground floors

YAGMUR BULUN - STUDENT (recent graduate) - IZMIR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Instructor: CAN GUNDUZ