Bilkent Erzurum Lower School

Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer

BILKENT ERZURUM LOWER SCHOOL

Fxfowel

ARCHITECTS
Fxfowel

ARCHITECT INCHARGE
Nicholas Garrison

CLIENT
Bilkent University

PHOTOGRAPHS
Thomas Mayer

AREA
6500.0 sqm

YEAR
2014

LOCATION
Erzurum, Erzurum Province, Turkey

CATEGORY
Schools

Text description provided by architect.

Conceived as two simple, entwined "ribbons" of enclosed walks, the new Bilkent Erzurum Lower School connects to an existing campus and its geometry, and a natural topography.

Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer
Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer

Located on the outskirts of Erzurum in Eastern Turkey, the 70,000 GSF (6,500 GSM) building is a new Lower School and cafeteria for an existing Upper School campus.

Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer

Two-stories high, the school’s upper ribbon gracefully bends to meet grade, creating a new central green for the campus to one side, and a wind-protected entrance and student play area to the other.

The upper ribbon contains a dramatic, double-height central cafeteria that connects the school together and is gloriously day-lit from two walls of windows with sweeping views to the South and North.

Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer
Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer

Glazing in the cafeteria is designed around Erzurum’s extreme conditions of cold weather for most of the school year, with ”icicles" as the direct inspiration for pattern and proportions.

A robust steel structure is a direct response to the area's seismic conditions. This wing also houses the upper elementary program as well as the library.

The school’s lower ribbon first follows the upper, then "peels" in the opposite direction until it meets the lower grade of the site.

Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer
Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer

This creates a separate entrance and play area for the Lower Elementary program. Rooms in this wing are also double height and connect to daylight on two sides. Upper level reading lofts look over the classrooms.

Roof forms follow the continuous slope of the land–a dry desert plain surrounded by the majestic Palandöken Mountain range.

The roof forms are lined with wood ceilings which continue to "peel" into the main interior spaces.

Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer
Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer

Natural materials, such as Turkish travertine, basalt stone and extensive use of wood for ceilings and soffits, blend with the colors and textures of the school’s existing structures while adding a timeless warmth and intrinsic durability.


Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
© Thomas Mayer
Bilkent Erzurum Lower School


Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
Site Plan
Bilkent Erzurum Lower School
Perspective Section