Piri Reis Maritime University provides higher maritime education and applied training in
Tuzla district of Istanbul, Turkey. The project consists 60.000 sqm covered area in eight
interconnected blocks. The campus is designed with the utmost contemporary sustainability
principles that resulted with the BREEAM's "very good" certificate.
The project allocates an intense programmatic function in fragmented blocks embedded in a
sloped site. The basic aim was to create open- air public spaces among blocks where
students and academic staff may interact with each other through out the day. The steep
slope of the terrain and the fragmented blocks are utilized to minimize the perception of the
overall campus silhouette. An open-air walkway extending on the north-south direction of
the site binds the six interconnected blocks over the ground. This spine defines the main
circulation path of the overall campus and enables the experience of the continuous sea
view within the campus.
While the architectural style of the blocks is being developed, a well-known naval
terminology, "Neta" meaning "neat, safe, efficient" was projected as the design concept
keyword. Since the spatial planning and operation principles of ships and dockyards are
based on simplicity, plainness and efficiency, this concept was very much appropriate with
the use of brutal materials and functionalist simplicity of the overall layout.
In order not to disturb the natural coastline, building blocks are located closer to the
northern border of the site, leaving a spacious green area on the south. This coast area
embraces a public pedestrian way that is linked with the adjacent residential district, and a
pier for the seaboard training for students. The blocks parallel to the coast are allocated for
educational, administration and social facilities where as the blocks vertically placed to the
sea incorporate training pool, labs and classrooms.
The upper floor of the social block that has the best vista of the sea is reserved for library.
The middle floor of this block is designed as a living passage including small food and
beverage shops, ATM units and a mid- sized coffee shop whereas the ground floor is
designated as the general cafeteria for lunch meals. The main spine reaching from north to
south is fragmented into smaller pieces with niches, terraces and different levels to avoid a
monumental and harsh axis. The prevailing wind is tamed by the utilization of the blocks
parallel to the sea, so that inner courtyards are protected from severe winds. This layout also
helped to benefit from the sunlight efficiently.
The spaces that do not need daylight are placed underground while the raised floors and
terraces of those places created the open spaces between the building blocks. Detached
entrances enable the access to these blocks with surrounding bicycle and vehicle roads
thanks to the utilization of the topography.
"Sustainable life" and "energy saving" are major principles of any vessels on the sea and thus
"green campus" concept is adopted from the very beginning. The campus generates 45% of
its own electric energy, and excess heat energy from this electricity production is used for
heating and cooling of the buildings. Fresh water is obtained by purifying seawater and grey
and rainwater is used for sanitary and landscaping irrigation purposes. Perforated 100%
recyclable non- mercuric corten steel plates absorb most of the ultraviolet rays and decrease
the energy load for cooling. These and many other precautions on sustainability make the
Piri Reis Maritime University as the first green campus of Turkey.
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