Katılımcı, Living Ruins 2024 Competition

Katılımcı, A. Emre Ölmez ve Rozerin Aytek'in Living Ruins yarışmasına önerdiği proje "Vita Perspectiva" adlı proje.

VITA PERSPECTIVA

The project is conceived as a living narrative, a design intervention that networks history, culture, and the contemporary experience. Rooted in the spirit of Kayaköy, it reimagines the site by transforming its historic fabric into a communal center where the past continuously informs and enriches the present with a pleasant, visually rich experience passing through the ruins within its scattered nature on the site.

The primary design concept is centered on a network of linear paths that have been purposefully laid out independently of the natural terrain contours to establish prominent axes that guide and orient. These pathways place the remains of former villages in the path of tourists.

By connecting important locations like cultural parks, observation decks, and rest spots, each route becomes a storytelling medium. A single visitor center serves as the meeting point for all routes, resulting in a seamless, immersive experience. The continuous dialogue between architecture and archaeology allows the physical journey to mirror the discovery of the rich history of this site.

The essence of the design is allowing the existing ruins to be acknowledged while subtle interventions start to breathe life into them. With the help of these initiatives, Kayaköy becomes a living museum where visitors are encouraged to engage more with the local history. The project ensures that the tale of the “ghost town” will endure for many years to come by not only preserving the past but also bringing it to life.

A detailed, multi-functional layout has been conceived for the Visitor Center as the critical nucleus of the entire site. The center acts like a hub for tourists and is made to host a variety of cultural events in a fun and interesting way. It is a self-sufficient hub where guests can congregate and learn about Kayaköy\’s history. It is outfitted to operate on its own. The center’s layout facilitates communication and immersion, further enhancing the cultural experience.

The Visitor Center will also be the main meeting point of the pathways and anchors the whole layout. It is conceptualized as the main focal point from which the cultural journey spreads across the site. It directs visitors toward two key focal points, “escape nodes” framing the main perspectives of our “Vita Perspectiva” concept. These nodes allow visitors to embark on a continuous cultural journey that connects both physical and symbolic experiences as they travel through Kayaköy.