A CENTER FOR THE SUFI AND 365 DAY OPEN MEETING CENTER FOR ALL
Settled life in Konya starts since the prehistoric period. The city was capital city of Anatolian Seljuk’s and continued its reputation and esteem during the Ottoman period. The founder of Sufi tradition Mevlana lived and died in the city, like many other important personage of culture. The city receives many visitors especially for Whirling Dervishes assemblies. The lack of an efficient cultural center is motivated the Municipality of Seljuk to establish a multi-use urban structure that houses all kinds of social activities including annual rituals of Semah, over all a 365 day open meeting center for the citizens. Starting with a small piazza before the entrance, the center aims to welcome diverse social groups at all times for various reasons. Open character of the building is punctuated BY the vast opening designed as the entrance from the main road. Back and side entries welcome pedestrians and those WHO drive, with its 9,500sqm parking capacity. The functions include a 2,200 seat concert/congress hall, 800 seat theatre, 1,000 person capacity ball room, pocket cinemas, workshops, smaller meeting and VIP rooms, café and restaurant. Under a gigantic roof separate boxes unite through their lobbies that link to each other flexibly.
