Cumalikizik Urban Rehabilitation
Competition for Ideas for the "Ottoman Village Living in the 3rd Millenium"
In cooperation with: Gokce Cibik, Ozan Avci
Bursa, 2007
✪ 2nd Prize
Background
The village of Cumalikizik is an important cultural heritage site where authentic civil architectural examples of houses integrate with organic street patterns and monumental buildings. It is located near the industrial city of Bursa. The village features the traditional public square of Ottoman settlements. Every building constituting the diverse street pattern which is shaped by the topography has its own unique character.
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Challenge
It is crucial to maintain the sociocultural and physical “texture” of Cumalikizik and rehabilitate the buildings in poor conditions. The aim is to preserve the cultural heritage for future generations with new functions and contemporary spaces that are able to answer the present requirements. This new constitution is investigated under the title “production”. 
A. Production of local goods (villages well known marmalade, wine, pancakes...)
B. Production of ideas (education)
Strategy
All the expenses of the buildings to be constructed in the village will be covered by the newly built charitable fund. Education area (2) will be administrated in collaboration by this fund and the University of Bursa. Summer schools which will be organized by the university, atelier works, meetings and various activities will be carried out in this education area. It is possible for the village people to take active part in these activities. The students of the village school will participate in the activities together with university students. In the free-plan building, which is located in the area, there will be held activities such as film screenings, seminars and “village weddings”. Since there is no street façade, the buildings here are planned in a “free” way in terms of void-solid relationship.
Due to the fact that the restoration of the present houses is going to increase the value of these properties with an uncontrollable rate, it is recommended that the restoration process is carried out in a controllable manner throughout a long period of time with the participation of different stakeholders.
In all buildings, reinforced concrete and natural stone are used as the construction system. Natural stone is used on the ground floors of buildings in order to comply with the traditional village houses to make up a visual integrity in street silhouettes. The main purpose is to enhance the quality of life without hurting the natural organic layout of  the village.
Our entry was awarded because of "the high architectonic quality" of our proposal and it was offered to the city administration by the competition jury for realisation.
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