Çaycuma Sports Center

Çaycuma Municipality Çaycuma Sports Center Architectural Design Competition

Design Team: Berke Hatipoğlu, Güliz Özorhon, İlker Fatih Özorhon
Structural Consultant: Muhsin Kıvan İpekar
Assistants: Çağkan Genç, Ekin Girgin, Onur Tekin, Orhan Kertiş, Caner Üretmen, Ece Alan, Berent Mumyakmaz, İlke Yıldan, Varlık Yücel

The site for the Çaycuma Sports Center is defined by the Filyos River to the east, sports areas to the south, and a park to the west. The dialogue expected with this environment has determined the structure of the building. The structure is pulled to the north of the site and shaped with a linear configuration extending in an east-west direction. Thus, the park to the west extends into the south of the site as well. The main entrance of the building is on the southern facade. The location of the entrance, along with the sunbathing terrace and cafe stretching along the building, strengthens the building's claim to being a social center. Independent of the building's main entrance, a second entrance associated with the park has been planned for the fitness center. This allows for the fitness center and pool units to be operated separately.

The building generally consists of a transparent volume containing the sports areas (pool-fitness) and an opaque linear mass behind it containing the locker room units. Horizontally, the spaces are divided transparently, strengthening their relationship by ensuring a direct visual connection. Vertically, the fitness and pool units are positioned to have visual connections both with each other and with the outdoor spaces, while service units are stacked to provide accessibility to the sports areas.

The roof covering of the pool and fitness spaces, which are the main units of the program, determines the identity of the building through an inclusive architectural element.

By making the boundaries of the fitness and pool units under the same roof transparent, visual obstacles in the horizontal and vertical planes have been removed, and a strong connection has been established between the lower and upper levels. The uninterrupted access between levels allows users to move easily within the spaces located at different elevations.

The roof covering and facade made transparent with voids, daylight is brought into the mass, utilizing natural light in the spaces and contributing to the interior ambiance through the filtering of light. This roof covering extends in the west, east, and south directions of the mass, allowing for semi-open spaces covered by eaves and balancing the transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, enabling these areas to establish strong communication with the environment from all directions. By making the boundaries on the exterior facade transparent and minimizing visible obstacles, a strong relationship between the main volumes and the environment is ensured in all three directions. On the other hand, the design of the green areas/park surrounding the building aims to increase the quality of the green space with minimum intervention in nature.