KONYA FOOD & AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY

Located in the heart of Konya, Turkey, The Konya Food & Agriculture University is the first specialized University in its field in Turkey, goes beyond a typical university campus with its highly mixed use program. Not only does the campus provides services to students and faculty, but also provides facilities and resources to scientists, entrepreneurs and the local public as well. The campus is divided into three zones: the educational and research zone (Zone 1), the residential and social zone (Zone 2), and the 'techno-city' zone (Zone 3).  Zone 1 contains the School of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, the School of Engineering, the School of Management and Social Sciences, a Preparatory School, a Vocational School, and the University Administration. Zone 2 contains the cultural and convention center, the library, the sports complex, the dining hall, faculty lodging, and student dormitories. Zone 3 or the 'Techno-city' contains the center for research and development, offices and laboratories.

The two existing roads that cut through the campus are used as the main axis for the circular landscape rings of Zone 1. Moving inward from the outermost ring, each ring is slightly lowered to create a green bowl effect. The six buildings located in this zone are designed around their own courtyards and are then arranged in a circular formation to create a central courtyard. There is a play on the courtyard architectural typology in two scales; one in the building scale, and one in the campus scale. Under this central courtyard is a cistern/museum that is not only used for the recycling of water, but is also open to the public. The buildings are also elevated off the ground in order to create an uninterrupted visual connection across the campus at the ground floor level. With its open and semi-open spaces, this 'free public space' allows for the free movement of its visitors and is the location of many of the campus activities.