ecstatic nexum[s]*
Mehmet Derin Incekas. Santorini, Greece
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Name of work in English
ecstatic nexum[s]*
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Name of work in original language
Aegean Sea International Research Hub
Prize year
Young Talent 2025
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Work Location
Santorini, Greece
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Author/s
Mehmet Derin Incekas
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School
Faculty of Architecture - Middle East Technical University.
Ankara, Turkey
Young Talent 2025 YT Open Nominees
ecstatic nexum[s]*
Aegean Sea International Research Hub
Program
Infrastructure
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Labels
Port · Energy
The Aegean Sea’s fragmented topography, symbolizes both natural order and unresolved geopolitical tensions between Greece and Turkey, including migration, territorial disputes, and military presence. "ecstatic nexum[s]*" proposes a network of autonomous research hubs, blending permanent foundations with temporary additions to establish "ecstatic temporality"—a new spatial rhythm fostering sustainable development, cultural exchange, and environmental resilience in the region.
Ecstatic nexum[s]* introduces a network of self-sustaining research hubs, strategically positioned across the Aegean through an understanding of spatial rhythm. The project examines how fragmentation—both physical and geopolitical—creates irregular yet recurring patterns, using these rhythms as a framework for placement. Each hub integrates permanent foundations with temporary, adaptive structures, allowing for flexibility in response to shifting environmental, geopolitical, and social conditions. This duality enables the project to function both as a stable presence and as an evolving system that can expand, contract, or transform over time. The architectural approach embraces "ecstatic temporality", a concept that reinterprets rhythm as more than just a spatial pattern but as a dynamic process shaping interactions between land, water, and human activity. By embedding itself within the Aegean’s natural rhythm, ecstatic nexum[s]* envisions an alternative spatial order—one that transcends fixed boundaries and creates a network of resilient, interconnected sites. These hubs serve as platforms for scientific collaboration, cultural dialogue, and ecological restoration, establishing new connections where divisions have long persisted. Ultimately, the project proposes not only a physical intervention but also a reimagining of territorial relationships, fostering a more sustainable and cooperative future in the region.