Case Study: Babakale Boutique Hotel

Project Name: Babakale Boutique Hotel

Project Location: Canakkale, Turkey

Source: Architectural Firm

Architects: Koray Korkmaz & Fatma Kordoglu

Team: Galata Yapi

Çanakkale (pronounced [tʃaˈnakːale]) is a town and seaport in Turkey. It is on the southern (Asian) coast of the Dardanelles (or Hellespont) in the Çanakkale Province. Like the Istanbul Province, Çanakkale Province has territory in both Europe and Asia. Ferries cross to the northern (European) side of the strait. The city is the nearest major town to the site of ancient Troy. The “wooden horse” from the 2004 movie Troy is exhibited on the seafront. Çanakkale is the second city situated on two continents after Istanbul, but Çanakkale is closer to mid-division than Istanbul.

Çanakkale was an Ottoman fortress called Kale-i Sutlaniye or Sultaniye kalesi (Fortress of the Sultan). It later became known for its pottery, hence the later name Çanak kaleisi (pot fortress) or Çanakkale.

The hotel is located on the cliffs by the seashore. There are nine (9) suites connected by outdoor corridors and stairs. Each suite is designed to mimic a one-story apartment and includes a kitchenette, bathroom, bedroom(s), living area, and dining area. This project was completed in 2010. Ecem (who worked as an intern architect on this project) believed that this hotel is now open for business!

Since the hotel and geographical location of the province are very close to the ocean, the owner/client wanted a rustic and organic ambiance that flows smoothly to the outside. Natural products were selected to represent the characteristics of the area.

Most features in the suites are designed by the architects themselves, such as the fireplaces, chandeliers, and tables. The architects preferred using aluminium for the windows and door frames. Since the hotel and geographical location of the province are very close to the ocean, the owner/client wanted a rustic and organic ambiance that flows smoothly to the outside. Natural products were selected to represent the characteristics of the area.

The atmospheric transition between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean dictates Çanakkale’s climate. The winters are mild and rainy; the summers are windy and hot. It is to no surprise that the windows and doors are double-glazed to provide a better barrier against the outside temperature and to save energy as well.

The fireplace is made of iron to give it a really rustic appearance. The glass is vitroceramic crystal which is able to resist heat up to 750F (wow, almost fireproof!). The vitroceramic glass has a special composition that allows heat resistance. İt has an extremely low thermal heat expansion which makes it very popular for fireplaces and induction cooktop.

Metal beams on the ceiling and columns provide support and added visual effect to the individual rooms. These metals have a very thin profile.

The walls have stone veneer both inside and outside. The stairs are cast-molded concrete that adds up to the sustainability aspect of the design. The landing is blonde oak laid in simple planks. With its soft linear grain, combined with varied golden tones, blonde oak gives an authentic appearance of untreated oak floorboards. It lends a calm, contemporary look offsetting the rustic look of the ceiling.

The ceiling is made of cedar logs. The ceiling makes you think of log cabins; alas, in a more contemporary look. The architects are very meticulous in their choice of wood. Because the location is very close to the ocean, humidity is a major concern. Cedar logs are an excellent choice because of its resistance to humidity and heat. It also gives a more rustic feeling with a contemporary appeal.

The chandelier is laser-cut stainless steel. The chairs and tables are made of oak – original designs by the architects themselves.

The floor has natural stone tiles. Different sizes, random colors bring about an interesting pattern to the floor. Small patches were left untiled for rugs and decorative stones. It is very interesting how the designers and architects intentionally left a shallow spot for the rug. That was very good thinking as it makes the rug stay in place just like a person wishes remain at this place as well. The kitchen has a granite countertop and stainless steel cylindrical ventilation, complete with a refrigerator, and cupboards. All the comforts of home away from home. Now, that's a vacation!

Sources and Links:

Window and Door frames by Schüco window systems: www.elityapi.com www.shueco.com/web/tr

Fireplace and Other Metals by Sts Glass & Aluminium: www.stsaluminyum.com

Tile flooring by Ozgramer Marble, Granite & Tiles: www.ozgramer.com

Metal beam and colums by Murat Metal: www.muratmetal.com

Stairs by Famerit: www.famerit.com.tr

Wood Flooring by Ahşap Parke Market: www.ahsapparkemarket.com

Contributors: Ecem Karaharman and Cristyn Narciso

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Discovery Science Center

The idea of Discovery Science Center began in 1984 when the boards of the Exploratory Learning Center and the Experience Center joined and formed the Discovery Museum of Orange County (1). Simply stated, their goals were to teach kids what life was like at the turn of the century in Orange County in an interactive manner and to build a world class hands-on science center (1). Now, the concept for the outside was to use bright colors that grabbed people's attention such as yellow, red, orange, and brown. This gives the center an earth tone which makes it friendly. Also, the cube in the background has an important job. From February 2003 to May 2003, the solar Cube at Discovery Science Center underwent a top-to-bottom renovation to make the Cube produce more energy for the science center (1). The design/build construction firm, Advanced Structures Inc. took Fort-Brescia’s idea and “translated” it into a 64-foot-on-a-side structure (1). First a computer model of The Cube was designed, then, applying the design parameters, the size of the more than 3000 members (the struts and nodes) was determined (1). The calculations were so numerous they would measure three feet high on legal paper (1).
The center consists of having bright colored walls to make the environment easy to understand and nylon carpet. Nylon carpet is perfect for the center because it is a high-traffic area and it will be easy to maintain. The inside of the center produces many themes such as geology and science. Now a perfect example to grab a student's attention is the yellow Sun Stage. Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness (2). Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts (2). The Sun Stage is mainly used for school groups while they undergo a demonstration, if the Sun Stage had a different color then the behavior of the students will be different.

Another great theme that the center has is The Sesame exhibit. This exhibit is only seasonal, but everything ties in for learning about the body. Now because it is all about sesame, the room is filled with sesame street characters and it makes it feel that you’re in the “sesame world.” This space is not only great for children, but great for all adults of shapes and sizes. The exhibits are well distributed around the room that follows the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Now everyone can enjoy this exhibit while it lasts.

The second floor is known as The Science of Hockey, the center's newest permanent exhibition. A first-of-its-kind experience, this interactive look at the science of sport is presented by the Anaheim Ducks, the National Hockey League and USA Hockey (1). Now the name of the exhibit says it all, they have exhibits such as a Penalty Box, You Be the Shooter, Coaches’ Corner (shown above), and much more. The dominant color for the second floor is blue. Blue gives the whole room a cold feeling, the kind of feeling that you will get while visiting an ice ring. Also, it is the coldest room in the center.

Last, but not least is Dino Quest. Dino Quest is the world’s first interactive, electronic dinosaur exhibit where guests go on a scavenger hunt searching for fossils. The area is known as Dino Quest, but it is divided into areas where certain fossils can be found. The areas are called, Prehistoric Plaza, Predator Ridge, Cretaceous Climb, Fossil Dig, and Kids' Dig Site. Obviously the theme is dinosaurs so it is meant to look prehistoric and the center successfully conquered that by using earth tones. Usually Dino Quest is the last exhibit to be visited, but after seeing what the center has to offer you will walk away having learned something new.

 (1) Discovery Science Center.  About us. 
.  8 April. 2011 .

(2) Kate Smith. All About the Color Yellow. 2011.

10 April. 2011 .

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