[mekan]izm-a
mekan / (TR) noun >> part of endless systems
mekanizm / (TR) noun >>a term in philosophy >> mechanics
mekanizma / (TR) noun >> the assembly of organized organs or components in a complex manner, system, or device designed to achieve a specific outcome.:
// >> formation, emergence, operation:
S.O.S Istanbul 2022: D-100’den öğrenmek(Learing From D-100) Architectural Student Competition
(2022)
2.Prize
with Ezgi Küçükpehlivan
The pace of development in the world is increasing exponentially over time. The world is no longer merely a collection of discrete landmasses; it has transformed into a unified "place" composed of interconnected systems. While birth and death remain inevitable realities, the accelerating pace of development also drives population growth, defining a "place" dominated by humans. The "places" to be defined in the future reveal fragments of these systems. Place and systems have become inseparable, forming an integrated, unified whole.
In a future shaped by transhumanist and Anthropocene modes of existence, where humans are not central actors, it can be envisioned that humans function as intermediaries within the systems that constitute "place." The discussion of these human-mediated systems inevitably leads to the articulation of new paradigms and, as Foucault suggests, the emergence of "other spaces."
In this potential future, we are confronted with the question: How can we imagine a life filled with "hope"? This question serves as a foundation for a proposal that transitions from a concrete suggestion to broader discussions, inviting us to explore new possibilities.
In a future shaped by transhumanist and Anthropocene modes of existence, where humans are not central actors, it can be envisioned that humans function as intermediaries within the systems that constitute "place." The discussion of these human-mediated systems inevitably leads to the articulation of new paradigms and, as Foucault suggests, the emergence of "other spaces."
In this potential future, we are confronted with the question: How can we imagine a life filled with "hope"? This question serves as a foundation for a proposal that transitions from a concrete suggestion to broader discussions, inviting us to explore new possibilities.
A Morphogenetic Reading of the D100 System
Over the past century, Istanbul has evolved through phases of modernization, liberalism, and, finally, neoliberal policies, with its development unfolding in a morphogenetic process. The D-100 highway, embedded within this historical topography, has transformed into a "dynamic attraction line" that witnesses this historical transition, becoming a "showcase" of this process. This process allows for the reading of spatial, socio-economic, and cultural changes and evolutions embedded in the city's memory, while also enabling the perception of different forms of action propaganda within the city. During this evolution, the highway's usage practices have shifted periodically (touristic expressway, military infrastructure, agricultural modernization, industrial decentralization), ultimately forming a linear urban macroform. The integration of the systems that constitute the foundation of our life practices with the D-100 highway, creating an increasingly closed system that forms a "second urban layer" above the city, illustrates the development of systems where humans act as intermediaries along this route. Thus, the discussion of "other spaces" begins to take place along this axis.
Reading Systems through the Issue of Folding
The changes that have occurred over the past century prompt us to consider the potential developments of the next 100 years. The acceleration of development refers to the increased pace of life within "places." As systems integrate into a single, unified entity, the resulting acceleration and accessibility lead cities, as a singular plane, to fold and begin "coming closer, overlapping, and superimposing" onto each other. Concepts such as rural-urban distinctions and boundaries dissolve into a more fluid state. Additionally, the D-100 highway, as part of a single infrastructure, mediates actions of acceleration, deceleration, and halting, increasing transitions between sensory experiences (sight, hearing, etc.), and facilitating perception, orientation, and action within a "system." In future projections, when folds accumulate and superimpose within systems, station structures will emerge. These station structures, representing places of deceleration and halting, will align with the time periods when perceptions and senses are most open. Furthermore, the internal and external effects of this infrastructure system will define it as a "showcase," facilitating transportation, serving public needs, and offering services. Thus, the D-100 highway, transforming into a whole where boundaries, thresholds, international, national-urban, and neighborhood functions are redefined, forms the foundation of architectural discussions.
Among the potential future scenarios, the subject at hand involves the transformation of existing systems, followed by their dematerialization, and their subsequent reconfiguration into desired forms. These newly formed stations begin to emerge within "places" that are superimposed in a non-anthropocentric, anthropocenic way of life. These stations materialize on global, urban, and neighborhood scales, forming a package. Furthermore, potential parasitic interactions between these packages can also be anticipated.
The package containing Atatürk Airport-Topkapı-Mecidiyeköy has been analyzed to understand the mechanism between Mecidiyeköy and Topkapı. The mechanism allows us to envision the interactions of programs, processes, actions, and flows presented to us in the context of the situation 100 years from now.
Re-thinking
The Topkapı station within the system packages facilitates our connection to the urban scale. It can also be seen as an entry point that integrates us into the city. It ensures its place within the city by taking on the form of supply-demand/labor-consumption dynamics throughout the year. From a post-human perspective, it attempts to establish the equality of matter and body within the system, offering a system description that strives for this balance.
Discussing the Concept of Degrowth
The labor-production-consumption system opens up a discussion through the concept of degrowth. The modes of production aim to transform production from being a source of profit to a necessity. This situation fosters the creation of new paradigms in consumption habits.
New Forms of Production
Within the 100-year timeframe, industry and agriculture take place within a more systematic and non-human-centric understanding. This new form of production enables the establishment of a balance between matter-body/production-consumption through collaboration between natural and artificial systems. Productions strive to control and produce inputs from natural systems through artificial systems.
Industrial Production Control System
The transition between the modular production field of matter and the industrial zone is controlled here through filtering.
The station formed in Topkapı offers us a part of the production process. The modular production area, which connects the station to the existing industrial zone, is the location where production in the industrial zone begins and ends. This production occurs in a major system, taking place at different time intervals [in modules], allowing for the emergence of unexpected situations, encounters, and possibilities within the space due to the differences it presents.
The source first arrives here and is filtered and processed according to necessity before being transferred to the industrial zone. The materials produced in the industrial zone are then transferred back here, filtered once again, and serviced to the city.
Lithosphere (Earth's crust): The existing built environment is described as the lithosphere.
Atmosphere (Air sphere): The atmosphere is considered a part of the system, where weather events influence actions within the biosphere. It is anticipated that weather patterns will change in the future.
Biosphere (Living sphere): The biosphere, composed of both living and non-living elements, is regarded as a commodity of the system, and it determines the system's operational methods and tectonics.
Control Area of Natural Systems
Natural systems are considered in conjunction with the station [system], providing the necessary conditions for the substance that acts as the intermediary of the station.
The control and intervention of agricultural production are carried out in this area.
Material [Plant] Reception Module
This is the initial point where the states of plants are received during their transfer from gardens to the station. The material is filtered before continuing its transfer.
The city, 100 years from now, may evolve into a dense accumulation where constructed structures define its future topography. Instead of merely building on vacant land, this approach emphasizes integrating with the existing urban fabric—adding to it, inhabiting it, and overlaying it. This perspective reimagines Mecidiyeköy's landmarks such as Trump Towers, Torun Center, underpasses, overpasses, Cevahir Mall, and Metrobus hubs as critical components of the urban landscape. Voids, in particular, are envisioned as significant spaces for future interventions.
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Labor Center
Conventional Offices
Potential New Profession Units
Fair Compensation for Labor
Production-Consumption Conversion Unit
Motor Function Operation Unit
Body Transfer Unit
Transfer to the Neighborhood [Dispersal]
In-station Transfer [Oscillation]
Transfer to Conventional Offices
Quick Access
Instant Nutrition
Instant Shopping
Instant Shower/Toilet
Emergency Repair [Body]
Emergency Repair [Material]
Material Transfer
Transfer to the Household [Delivery]
Transfer to the Labor Center
Transfer to the Local Commercial Network
Transfer to the Shopping Mall (AVM)
It converts labor, which is used in different modes here, into production to meet the necessary production needs. In this way, it aims to ensure the universal production-consumption balance and strives to preserve the resources of the global system in the most efficient way. Instead of currency, labor hours are converted into units that can be used in consumption.
Motor Function Work Module - Creative Industry - Utilization of the Motor Functions of the Body Commodity
Conventional Offices - The commercial office, as we know it today, integrates into a single hub, merging with the station, and encompasses holdings and various business units.
Production-Consumption Conversion Unit - The place where the proposed production-consumption sy
Fair compensation for Labor - Ensuring the equivalence of labor and service. stem is processed.
Material is considered in two forms: living [states of the body and plant] and non-living [raw materials and products]. It is transferred as a commodity within the system to various areas. This transfer occurs through different units. In these units, a form of publicness is created through the states of accumulation-oscillation-distribution and the interactions of materials with each other.
The accelerating pace of global development has unified places and systems into an inseparable whole, redefining “place” through transhumanist and Anthropocenic lenses. The D-100 highway exemplifies this evolution, forming a dynamic "second urban layer" where systems converge and redefine urban boundaries. Future scenarios propose modular production zones and stations at various scales, promoting degrowth and balanced production-consumption systems. These transformations reimagine voids, infrastructure, and the built environment as key elements of a new urban topography.