Vahbi Koc Foundation Ford Otosan Culture and Social Centre

Earthquake became an unfortunate identity of the Golcuk area. The site of the VKV Center is located just next to the 1999 earthquake fault line and thus has a historic significance. There is a need to raise the social morals of the local people which were severely affected by this earthquake. FORD automotive plant is next to the building site and the whole Golcuk area benefits from this industrial facility. However, the lack of social amenities nearby hinders the use of the potentials of this beautiful natural environment. Taking all these issues into account, the VKV project was implemented just at the right location at the right time The social and recreational functions incorporated in the facility make it a meeting place for the people nearby. The dimensions of the building blocks are carefully calculated to be in accordance with the human scale which make the center sympathetically attractive.

The materials used in the buildings also help to create this welcoming atmosphere. The use of brick as a long forgotten building material and using its potentials in the ornamentation of the exterior surfaces create the visual identity of the center. The palette formed by natural materials was used both in exterior and interior spaces which help to create the spatial continuity within the complex. The overall site plan was the reflection of the decision to keep every existing tree on the site. The height of the building blocks were even determined with the contours of the silhouette of trees on the site. These decisions resulted into a well-crafted piece of architecture placed in the beautiful natural environment which was hardly admired and utilized before.