On-line with Hereke

Context

Hereke, located in Kocaeli in the Marmara Region, holds an important position in terms of both culture and history. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship in carpet weaving, Hereke has long been synonymous with quality and distinction in this art form. Produced with a unique technique, the Hereke carpet received international acclaim and increased the region's reputation worldwide.

The closure of Sümerbank factories — once the center of Hereke carpet production — dealt a great blow to the public. As a result, Hereke experienced a decline in both the production of its distinctive carpets and the preservation of its rich cultural heritage. Once a center for rowing, football, and traditional carpet weaving, Hereke witnessed the gradual erosion of its cultural fabric, exacerbated by widespread immigration following the factory closures.

Strategy

The On-line with Hereke project offers a path for revival through the adaptive reuse of existing structures and the construction of new ones. The project aims to breathe new life into Hereke with an uninterrupted cultural line from the beach to a new interactive carpet museum, encouraging the revival of lost traditions and reigniting interest among both locals and tourists.

Programme

1. Interactive Museum
2. Research and Innovation Complex
3. Handmade Weaving Production
4. Weaving Workshops
5. Multipurpose Building
6. Cafeteria
7. Cafes, Restaurants, Bars
8. Weaving Workshops
9. Library
10. Info
11. University Campus
12. Coastal Side

Design Logic

The Research & Innovation Complex is one of the most important buildings of the area — a structure that turns into an Interactive Museum by curling along a linear line while providing its own distinct character. The design aims to develop the special Hereke carpet in a structure that offers a spacious experience to visitors while providing visual connection for those who use the building.

The solid-void relationship created on the façade of the research building is echoed in the interactive museum. The rhythm on the façades of the workshops and the handmade production building supports the sense of continuity along the created axis. A ramp takes the user directly to the shore, where the understanding of cultural experience — beginning at the Interactive Museum and continuing through workshops and production units — extends to the seaside.

Project Info

Type: Urban Revitalization Course: AR402 | 2021 Team: Ertuğrul Akdemir Instructors: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeynep AKTÜRE, Dr. Can GÜNDÜZ, M.Arch Mert VELİPAŞAOĞLU