Ankara Velodrome
TU Delft | Graduation | 2013
The term Utopia derives from the Greek syllables u+topos (ου+τόπος) which means non-place. In the case of Ankara the term is re-interpreted in Evtopia also from the Greek ev+topos (ευ+τόπος) which mean a good-place.
The main goal of the project is to transform the city from a dull bureaucratic city which is overruled by the cars and the heavy traffic into a leisure city, a city dedicated to its inhabitants.
The theme of leisure which is chosen here also reflects on the vision of Ataturk which he had for the city from the very beginning of the establishment of the new republic.
Under this theme, cycling is introduced as an alternative way of transportation and aims to liberate the city from the automobile. Bicycle aims to become not just a new transportation method but a way to a new lifestyle which will change not only the image of the city but also the perception of the society. The evocation of the bicycle as an extension of the human body aims to become a reality in the society of Ankara.
A series of leisure activities are juxtaposed along the existing riverbed of Ankara. This juxtaposition creates a new urban fabric and a place which is liberated from the automobile something which is absent from the city today. This continuous strip of leisure activities will start forming the new image of the city and aims to be influential in the future development of the city.
The architectural proposal (the Velodrome) becomes an extension of this urban fabric.
The Velodrome is an arena of public events but also an incubation center for bicycles which is the new proposed lifestyle.
On an architectural level the building itself is an interpretation of the society. Just like the society is prioritized in social groups, the building is stratified in the same way.
Furthermore, the building reflects the evocation of the bicycle as a fine machine, as a well tuned mechanism and it’s conceived as a three dimensional puzzle which brings together all the different social groups of the society.
“Evtopia” aims to improve the quality of public life, free the city from the automobile and propose a new lifestyle which will be based on leisure.
The main goal of the project is to transform the city from a dull bureaucratic city which is overruled by the cars and the heavy traffic into a leisure city, a city dedicated to its inhabitants.
The theme of leisure which is chosen here also reflects on the vision of Ataturk which he had for the city from the very beginning of the establishment of the new republic.
Under this theme, cycling is introduced as an alternative way of transportation and aims to liberate the city from the automobile. Bicycle aims to become not just a new transportation method but a way to a new lifestyle which will change not only the image of the city but also the perception of the society. The evocation of the bicycle as an extension of the human body aims to become a reality in the society of Ankara.
A series of leisure activities are juxtaposed along the existing riverbed of Ankara. This juxtaposition creates a new urban fabric and a place which is liberated from the automobile something which is absent from the city today. This continuous strip of leisure activities will start forming the new image of the city and aims to be influential in the future development of the city.
The architectural proposal (the Velodrome) becomes an extension of this urban fabric.
The Velodrome is an arena of public events but also an incubation center for bicycles which is the new proposed lifestyle.
On an architectural level the building itself is an interpretation of the society. Just like the society is prioritized in social groups, the building is stratified in the same way.
Furthermore, the building reflects the evocation of the bicycle as a fine machine, as a well tuned mechanism and it’s conceived as a three dimensional puzzle which brings together all the different social groups of the society.
“Evtopia” aims to improve the quality of public life, free the city from the automobile and propose a new lifestyle which will be based on leisure.
