Summaries

 When we received the project, Studio Fuksas first presented us with the 3-dimensional form of the structure. This was a free-form structure. There are defined shapes in geometry: for instance, plane, cylinder, cone or sphere… You can cover all these ‘defined forms’ with four-sided trapezoids. However, you cannot cover ‘free form’ with four-sided trapezoids. Plane will need to break at some point since one of the four sides will be on a transverse plane. Therefore, glass panels or solid panel covers of ‘free form’ systems need to be in triangular shape. This is the main difference of ‘free form’. Six triangular glass panels form a six-arm star-like connection point. We call these connection points ‘nodes’. This system consists of ‘nodes’ and ‘members’. When Mr. Fuksas’ team sent us the brief, we had to work to define ‘member’ lines and nodes. In this study, we took note of tempered glass sizes which can be produced economically. This size in Turkey is 2,50m and 2,40 m since the glass has to be kiln-dried for tempering and this is the size of the kiln. We formed our grid shell (wire frame) without exceeding 2,40 meters in size. What the architect wanted to see in the taint study was a structure shell one side in glass, the other covered in non-transparent panels and 3 exits to the garden. We prepared the wire frame system as per this shape of the shell and finalized it after conversing with the architect. Then, we started to pick the members in accordance with the structural calculations. We applied “block” node model, which is the most conventional model in the world. However, Fuksas did not like the sharp edges in our conventional node and sent his alternative model. This was a model in which joint could not be seen at all. Our model was very plain whereas every piece of his model was a piece of sculpture. This made the manufacturing stage, which was difficult, more difficult. Therefore, the budget increased. We thought whether we could do it or not. We decided to go forward with this model. We worked for a week, sent Fuksas a sample and received positive feedback. Thus, we fulfilled his wish and presented a new product to the world. This was the first application of this model in the world and we called it “Organic Node” due to its organic structure with the appearance of bone with no visible joint. Bory Mall’s nodes are organic, not conventional. This was our most challenging project to this day. It was like manufacturing a thousand separate sculptures. We designed heat-barriered special triangular panels with outer and inner plates with stone wool insulation in between where no glass is present. Since these were façade members, we manufactured them out of corrosion-re sistant aluminum plates. This free form structure has three different functions: first, it is the main support structure resistant to earthquakes. Second, it is a façade/roof covering system providing heat and sound insulation. Third, it is an interior decorative member. These three functions are generally provided with three different members whereas, in our case, solved in one.