Our project, under the motto “Another World Is Possible, and We Can Achieve It” aims to create a center to implement the goals outlined in the İzmir Sustainability Center Search Workshop report of September 30, 2021, led by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality (İzmir BBB). This center will sustain and develop these objectives over time. Recognizing the need to reevaluate the relationship between people and the environment, our design emphasizes the potential for a new, more harmonious relationship between the environment and people. We hope that our design will serve as a model, starting with İzmir and expanding to the rest of Turkey.

Since the early 2000s, growing environmental awareness has revealed that humanity is primarily responsible for environmental degradation. This realization, along with the recognition of finite natural resources and the threats posed by global climate change, has ushered in a new era. This era requires us to adopt an approach that respects nature, addresses the harm caused, and acknowledges our interconnectedness with the natural world.

In an effort to harmonize with the environment, the western facade of the building has been designed with more opacity to mitigate the impact of nearby skyscrapers. In contrast, the southern and eastern facades open up to the gulf of Izmir, providing transparency and openness. The program distribution of the S-Hub is carefully planned. The elevated northern mass of the building offers a suitable surface area for office use. On the other hand, the southern part of the building is designed for communal and museum spaces. To embrace the concept of a smart building design, the structure exhibits a flexible geometry that aligns with sustainability principles. To align with sustainability concepts, the design emphasizes sustainability concepts rooted in terrestrial and marine ecologies.

The S-Hub is equipped with eco-friendly systems, focusing on water, wastewater, heating, cooling, and infrastructure systems designed to meet green building certification standards. These systems include photovoltaic panels, a kinetic energy-generating walkway, and a robust waste recovery system. The hardware and infrastructure are engineered to minimize water consumption and maximize recycling.

The wastewater treatment facility employs a state-of-the-art Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) system and treats all wastewater generated by the İzmir Sustainability Center. An innovative algae photobioreactor system is also used to eliminate nitrogen and phosphorus components. Additionally, the S-Hub hosts a pilot-scale soilless agriculture (aquaponics) system. A seawater treatment facility, hosted on a “mavna,” is designed as a pilot system for advanced treatment processes, showcasing expertise in saltwater treatment.

The Izmir Sustainability Hub (S-Hub) embodies our vision for a more sustainable future, where nature and humanity coexist harmoniously. We believe that our design not only symbolizes the dawn of a new era but also stands as a testament to the transformative power of architecture, making it accessible to all.