While incorporating itself into one of the most culturally historical but underused streets in the Odunpazarı district in the heart of Eskisehir, the Hamamyolu Urban Deck provides a fresh and inviting perspective in the revitalization of an existing passageway of an existing urban fabric. This 'green pedestrian axis' which is composed of natural wood elements, lush green landscape elements, water features, and seating areas create a modern and vibrant meeting space that promotes movement from the Odunpazar Square to the Porsuk River.
Hamamyolu Urban Deck is divided into 8 zones, each based on a specific theme, inspired by the urban fabric and social context of the site. The zones are namely; Access Road to Hicri Sezen Park (zone 1), Alaaddin Park (zone 2), Bowl Pool and Book Fair (zone 3), Cafe&Seating Areas (zone 4), Ibrahim Karaoglanoglu Street Overpass and Museum Area (zone 5), Children's Playground and Exhibition Area (zone 6), Steam Pool and Seating Areas (zone 7), Ivy Forest (zone 8).
First of all, the overall design is concentrated on the connection between the Odunpazarı Square and the Porsuk River in an urban scale. The Urban Deck provides a continuous pedestrian axis between two districts, while preserving the historical and urban elements.
Secondly, with its many green elements, the Hamamyolu Urban Deck breathes a new life into an otherwise forgotten street in the Odunpazarı District, by creating a new urban green belt. In addition to the existing trees; cube shaped Linden trees, an ivy forest, shrubs and many greenery elements are introduced, and connected with the existing green areas of Hicri Sezen and Alaaddin Parks, and Porsuk River.
One of the design principals is to create an uninterrupted urban deck along the axis, using only the recyclable wooden material. The urban deck not only moves visitors horizontally through the existing cityscape, but also creates vertical movement with various overpasses, underpasses, ramps, platforms, pools and seating areas. Thus it provides a different perspective in the experience of the urban fabric of the city.
An other design principal is creating a linear urban axis which connects all of the zones. The urban axis is a 1.5 km long pedestrian path, with a linear led lighting located in the center. Hand-made colorful glasses, which are locally produced in touristic old Odunpazarı region, are embedded in the white cement, through this axis.
The relationship between the urban deck and its surroundings is created by the urban links based on the existing passages and the streets in the district. This urban links are emphasized by the glass embedded white cement at the passage entrances and color differences of the wooden deck and travertine at the street entrances.
One of the approaches to the area is to increase the number and variety of the cafe areas. Various types of cafes are square cafe, platform cafe, under-bridge café and small cafes. The platforms are covered with green roof in the upper level and elevated from the ground with a few steps, also providing more seating areas for the visitors.
One of the aims of the urban deck is to provide a fun environment, containing numbers of different play areas for different age ranges. Other than the play areas and the facilities designed particularly for children, the urban deck itself turns into a playground for everyone with its three-dimensional elements.
In the Hamamyolu Urban Deck, various water elements are designed to make visitors feel relaxed. Four types of pools are proposed, each have different types and forms of movement: bowl pool, stone pools, bank pools and steam pool. This steam pool gives reference to the Turkish baths, ‘Hamam’ where the site name comes from.
The urban deck also serves as an exhibition space: The wooden sculptures from the Odunpazarı International Wooden Sculpture Festival will be on display, each in a particular area related to its concept.
Lighting elements are specially designed for the urban deck. Bronze stainless steel plates are proposed to hang in the existing trees, to reflect the spot lights located at the base. Besides, street lights are also designed to be used in the parking lot and the shopping streets. The lighting elements also used for highlighting the designed elements by the way of encircling them with the linear led lighting fixture onto wooden surfaces.
All of the elements designed in the Hamamyolu Urban Deck Project, are composed of the ideas mentioned above, integrated with the urban fabric and historical context of the Odunpazarı district. Urban deck serves various activities, therefore, provides an inviting space for everyone.