ARCHITECTURAL AND URBAN DESIGN PROJECT
Heval Zeliha Yüksel Mimar / Architect
olding the tomb of Ahi Evran-ı Veli, the Ahi Evran Mosque and its Islamic Complex, designed for conserving the tradition of the Ahi community, rooted back to 12th century and having an important place notably in Kirsehir and in the history of Anatolia, is a social responsibility project started out for conserving the cultural heritage.
Located in the city center of Kirsehir, reflecting the qualities of the Ahi Community which is a social art, trade, solidarity and assistance foundation developed and became popular between Turkish people, the islamic complex along with 40,000 sqm of building size within a 55,000 sqm of area, embodies Ahi-Order Reference Library, Ottoman/Covered Bazaar, Ahi-Order and Astronomy Museum, Master and Craft Rooms, Shops, Fountain, Stage and Ceremony Area, Boutique Accomodation Facilities and Food & Beverage Spaces.
Rising the locality to prominence, Ahi Evran-ı Veli Complex project is designed meticulously by Mi’mar Architects through following the scars of the past, listening the whispers of the land and taking the opinions of the experts.
Before the design process, the traditional texture of the city is examined in detail. Monuments, large and small structures surrounding them, the city texture integrated with the environment and all the structure units occured in the course of time came together interrelatedly within a sectional collectivity. Along with this concept appearing commonly in the Anatolian cities, the presence of the big square and the different perspectives given by the streets extending over monuments from the square, is turned into an advantage. The project is grounded on keeping the “unique texture and the silhouette of the past” alive, along with a balanced construction rather than emptying the surroundings of the monument. Therefore the project is launched with a more realistic design criteria.
The square forms the focus of the project including the open and closed public spaces. It’s aimed for keeping the cultural values alive within the scope of the Ahi-Order activities and the context of the cultural dimension of the community.
• Introducing the philosophers and sufis related to Kirsehir
• Nominally, visually and digitally transferring the organizational, educational and social aspect of the Ahi community.
• Narrating the organization of women, which is an important formation in the Ahi community
• Introducing the lost fields of profession along with the history of the Ahi-order
• Preparing a substructure (subvention/foundation) for keeping the crafts alive for our time
• Forming a research center and speciality library related to Ahi Evran University, concerning the Ahi-order culture and history
The design and implementation process of ‘Ahi Evran Complex Architectural and Urban Design Project’ is executed around the approaches enlisted above.
Along with the structural materials used in the monument in Kirsehir, a strict attention is paid to conserve local values notably through travertine stone, which is widespread in the area.
Open public spaces are designed in conjunction with the principal of rearranging the green landscape for public use and protecting the existing trees.
Ahi Evran event and ceremony square / multi-purpose square arrangement
It’s designed as an event area, twice the size of the current capacity where the celebrations of the Ahi-order culture take place each year. It also serves as an event area embodying the service volumes. Backstage and VIP halls supporting the attached stage are planned for availability at any time of the year and meeting the requirements of various activities.
“ROOTED BACK TO 12TH CENTURY, THE AHI-ORDER IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT DEFENDS PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, PROTECTS THE CAPITAL STOCK AND THE GREAT EFFORT OF THE EMPLOYEES, GROUNDS ON REASON, MORALS, SCIENCE AND OPERATION PRINCIPLES THROUGH HOLDING SIMILAR ASPECTS WITH THE COOPERATIVE SYSTEM, UNIONISM, SOCIAL SECURITY AND QUALITY AND PRICE CONTROL SYSTEM.”
Ahi community and astronomy museum;
32 crafts are symbolically placed in the area with the purpose of introducing the philosophers and sufis related to Kirsehir; narrating the symbolic council, chair of Pir Ahi Evren, Ahi community, regime and rituals; and representatively commemorating the lost fields of profession. Spaces belonging to women mentioned as Bacıyan-ı Rum in the Ahi community, the education of artists and craftsmen, Cacabey hall of astronomy and kids workshops, presentation rooms, management units and service volumes are envisioned.
Ahi-order research center;
Specialty library which will be formed with collecting all the sources related to Ahi-order with a capacity of 50,000 books, research rooms, conference hall, multi-functional hall and foyer with 400 person capacity are designed. The parking garage is envisaged within the context of connecting the foyer with the hall and research center and placed in the basement floor.
Ottoman / Closed regional and hand crafted products bazaar;
Craftsmen bazaar, Ahi Evran avenue in between the closed museum, boutique accomodation, traditional restaurants and cafes, craft centers, fountain and burial area are designed structurally related to the square at the pedestrian level.
PROJECT AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASES
1st phase
Ahi evren square,
Stage supporting units+VIP,
WC/ Fountain,
Ahi-order and astronomy museum,
Craftsmen bazaar and craft workshops,
2nd phase
Ottoman/closed bazaar,
Ahi-order research center,
Confederation of merchants and craftsmen,
3rd phase
Food & beverage units,
Boutique hotel,
Kirsehir town hall,
Public buildings
4th phase
Öneri Ahi bazaar,
Other private property buildings.