Research Gate
Middle East Technical University
The research and technology park in the Middle East Tecjnical University (METU) Campus has been extended into a new Research Center that will act as connection between the industry and the academia. The masterplan for the campus was developed by the architect Behruz Cinici and today the research park comprises office buildings as well as research and production facilities all designed by different architects.
This project consists of a five-storey research and laboratory building located just at the western part of the main alley which is the principal artery of the METU campus.
The building commands a central position on the intersection with a new east-west axis. The footprint of the building, was defined by the forest area to the east and the main road to the west. Envisioned as a research space of the future, combining various research centers already existing in the campus, the building had to take into consideration flexibility for shared and temporary workspaces and fluid transitions between areas for experimentation and regular workspaces.
The external and internal structure is made of cast in place exposed concrete, adopting the recurrent theme on the campus. The building spans 520 ft long and the atrium at its central axis to the east-west – a new social hub for the researchers, entrepreneurs, academics spreads on four levels that extend as interior terraces where lab users can mingle, socialize and discuss. This spatial configuration offers flexibility within which new laboratory concepts may be explored. A library is located on the third floor of this atrium, floating as a set of sculptural stairs connect the three laboratory floors. All offices are placed around internal courtyards. Ozge led Eaa design team.
an ode to Cinici campus
The west facade, where shutters will be installed, standing on a podium of man-made landscape, left
Plans and section, below
The East Facade of the long rectangular prism building spans along the green forest-zone in between the main campus and the Techno-park, above and left
The elliptical library/auditorium in the second floor floating in the atrium , above
The atrium is a common space where the researchers will meet to share and develop ideas. It is also intended for the public attendance, becoming a creative hub for the whole campus. Again, as a continuation of the architectural building culture of the METU campus, the interiors are crafted with exposed concrete, wood and natural stone (basalt)
Project designed at EAA. Ozge Ertoptamis, Team Leader-in-Charge of design