2. Ödül, Uluslararası Nemrut Yanardağı Gözü Yarışması

Project Report:

Now dormant and peaceful, Nemrut Volcano was once a giant boiling engine of destruction. After many millennia of quakes, eruptions, tectonic crashes and tears; this ancient inferno calmed down and became a colossal monument of nature, movement and time, that now contains a small serene piece of eden inside. This means that Nemrut’s journey is not complete yet; its story is still being written, while it is being constantly sculpted by movements from within and below.

Nemrut Caldera observation route was designed as an embodiment of Nemrut Caldera’s continuous movement and ongoing journey. It is not a single platform with a single viewpoint, but it is an observation path that offers a journey with a variety of viewpoints. The visitor is not limited to a constant point on a single platform, he/she is an active observer who moves freely and is able to have unrestricted panoramic points of view.

Viewing advantages of the route are byproducts of overcoming the main problematic of the site: Terrain. In its untouched state of the site, visitors have to trek through a rough slope, then somehow climb a steep loose surfaced bank and survive through dangerously slanted shoulder of the terrain, in order to finally get to the target viewpoint. Going back is another nightmare on its own. All this effort makes it very difficult or entirely impossible for an average person. Rather than using straightforward paths, designed path enables a journey that is considerably less steep, which is safe, enjoyable and definitely less tiring. In addition, its design makes the route very little invasive towards natural state of the site, requiring minimal and very contained digging.

Journey of visitors would begin by walking upwards from ski lift, arriving the plaza, which is a flat small area that people can gather before or after their journey. There are several seats and areas under footbridge’s shade for resting. Walking under the footbridge, visitors will be greeted with the scenery of the caldera. Then comes the footbridge, where begins a path of 360 degree of view seeing both inside and outside the caldera, neighboring cities Bitlis and Van together with Lake Van. Observation platform at the end of the path offers a larger area with tele-zoom binoculars and seating for resting.

Footbridge and observation platform are made of modular pieces Corten Steel, so that it will be delivered in pieces by ground transportation and assembled together and installed at the site with minimal effort and cost. Corten Steel is chosen because of its durability, lightweight and versatility. Despite stringent weather conditions, material will require almost no maintenance.

Footbridge ground is designed to have stairs instead of a ramp, which greatly diminishes risk of slipping and rolling over. Floor plates will be perforated to allow snow and rain water to pass through and prevent water build-up and icing. This will also provide a better grip for visitors.

Landscape design of the observation route mainly consists of local materials from caldera terrain. The surrounding of ski-lift station is designed as a plaza with obsidian pebbles for the ground covering. The pathway from ski-lift station (+2.775m) to +2.785m level is designed as a natural staired pathway. The treads are made with pebbles while risers are made from curved Corten steel stripes. Specially designed seatings made from obsidian (acquired from the terrain) and corten steel are scattered along the landscape pathway to the footbridge modules.

Modular Construction
Construction is an essential issue for the designed observation route as the caldera terrain is an extreme and harsh one. To minimize the effort, cost and time of construction, a modular approach is chosen. Footbridge module sections are designed as 2m long modules, as well as the observation platform’s radial modular parts. These modules will be constructed off-site and will be transported to the +2.775m level of the site via ski-lift station.

From there, heavy-duty portable cranes and construction drones will gather the modules and connect them to the pre-assembled precast concrete footings on the site. Modules will be interconnected via bolted connections. Corten steel is chosen as the structural material of the route for its light-weight, durability, simple assembly and ease of use properties. With the combination of these systems, the construction process of the observation route is planned to be a very sustainable and efficient one.