YDYO - Izmir University of Economics Language Building

15 February 2016

YDYO - Izmir University of Economics Language Building

Entrance
Entrance

Entrance
Entrance

Entrance
Entrance

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

University of Economics Language Building
University of Economics Language Building

Cafe
Cafe

Cafe
Cafe

Cafe
Cafe

Izmir University of Economics Language Building
Izmir University of Economics Language Building

Izmir University of Economics Language Building
Izmir University of Economics Language Building

Izmir University of Economics Language Building
Izmir University of Economics Language Building

Izmir University of Economics Language Building
Izmir University of Economics Language Building

Izmir University of Economics Language Building
Izmir University of Economics Language Building

Izmir University of Economics Language Building
Izmir University of Economics Language Building

AUDB were commissioned to combine all language classes and support spaces into one building.

How were you commissioned?:
We were commissioned by Izmir University of Economics (IEU) where I have also taught.

Izmir University of Economics Language Building

What was the brief from the client and how much were they involved?:
The University aims to establish itself as an international academic institution and conducts all its teaching and lecturing in English. Additionally students have to learn a 3rd Language of their own choice. Usually the students spend their first year in foundation where they hone their english skills before entering specific programs. The client brief was to combine all language classes and support spaces into one building, which would represent the first entry point for most of the students. The architects worked closely with the client and representatives of the language department to establish a brief limited to the maximum allowable build space in the campus.

Izmir University of Economics Language Building

How did the brief affect the materials and design choices?:
Due to the limited space available and intensity of program need, the floor space had to be planned well and compact with little space to play with architecturally. This drove innovative uses of vertical space with exposed slabs and vertical openings where possible, opening up the spaces in selected locations. The density of use also set the direction for the circulation and connectivity where the aim is to connect the building to the ground and attached building to manage user traffic.

Izmir University of Economics Language Building

How did your previous experience help you with this project?:
This is the second project AUDB has completed in Izmir and the most direct experience is understanding of the environment. The facade treatment derived from this experience with insulated solid walls and deep openings minimising solar gain. At the same time the external spaces at different levels and locations around the building offer different choices for use at different times of the day and times of the year.

Izmir University of Economics Language Building

Can you explain the layout of the project:
This is a classroom building which is quite a strict archetype with corridors and cellular arrangement of classrooms. In a compact use one ends up with a double loaded corridor. This restriction became the primary driving force behind the overall concept where the arrangement is traditional at the top of the building, but this morphs and fragments towards the ground where users are connected to the context. In the same way the public space is towards the ground level and private space at the top. The original concept saw the program as two interlocking elements, the classrooms and the support spaces (including teacher offices). This was the parti behind the two converging building volumes. However through the design process this distinction became much more blurred.

Izmir University of Economics Language Building

What problems or challenges did you face?:
AUDB arrpoaches each challenge as part of the systematic approach to the design process. Working within the system but testing it's boundaries. In Izmir an example is the available expertise and materials, crafts and labour. One example is the standard construction method of concrete frame with block infill. This method was incorporated into the design and then pushed to it's limits.

Izmir University of Economics Language Building

What do you feel were the most unusual design elements of the project?:
The most obvious is the slanted building volumes and the external spaces this creates. The combination of small design decisions that dealt with compact program and moderate budget creates and overall inspiring spatial solution. The most unusual aspect is the way the building in one part merges into it's context and appears very modest and low key, but at the same time from another aspect appears grand and unique.

Izmir University of Economics Language Building

How do you think this project is pushing design forward? What makes it special?:
The project was deliberately positioned at junction node. In one way it's a traditional building form that at the same time transforms into a contemporary geometry. A simple traditional layout archetype that morphs into a more modern and complex circulation system. A contemporary program using the latest in digital teaching technologies in spaces that explore tectonics. Our aim was always to explore this convergence of the traditional and the contemporary and see if something new would emerge from this experiment.

Izmir University

Please provide details of product names and suppliers where possible.:
Cladding from Fibre Cement: Fibrobeton, Turkey. http://www.fibrobeton.com.tr

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