Canakkale Commercial and Life Center
Year2018
LocationCanakkale, Turkey
ClientCanakkale Municipality
StatusCompleted
Area20000 m²
TypologyCommercial, Cultural
TeamAli Önalp, Burak Yardımcı, Erhan Arslan, Güney Gültekin
According to Jane Jacobs, cities belong to their inhabitants, and vitality nourishes diversity within the urban fabric. Based on this understanding, a marketplace, life center, and parking complex were designed to establish strong ties with the city and function as its natural extension. The aim was for the structure to be not just an architectural object, but a part that dissolves into the continuity of the city.
The multilayered historical structure of Çanakkale—a bridge between Asia and Europe—and the stratification observed in daily life served as key references in the design. The project site establishes a public backbone through the ferry terminal and Cumhuriyet Boulevard, and gains significance as an urban gateway by being surrounded by green areas like Halk Bahçesi and Muammer Aksoy Park.
Creating a natural flow between the building and the city was the primary objective of the design. The pedestrian axis from Cumhuriyet Boulevard intersects with the approach from Halk Bahçesi along a central spine; the structure was designed as a permeable system composed of fragmented masses along these axes. The parking area near the Police Department was transformed into an alternative public passageway, adding new public value to the southeastern façade.
Continuity of the green texture was ensured, and the boundaries between the building and the surrounding parks were blurred. Thanks to the fragmented design, urban terraces, courtyards, and interior streets were formed at various levels, making the structure an integral part of urban life. Public circulation areas were strengthened at the ground level, while building clusters were connected by bridges on the upper floors. Some accessible terraces were made available for users, while others were allocated for energy production as part of the sustainability strategy.
Locally sourced, simple, and climate-compatible materials were selected. Exposed concrete, natural stone, wood, subtly colored window frames, and sun-shading panels not only defined the building’s character but also served the sustainability goals through passive climate control solutions.
