SPACE June 2025 (No. 691)
©Kıvanç Sönmez – Stoa Photography
Human-driven environmental changes require adaptive strategies for life-sustaining activities. Technological developments have positive and negative global impacts, driving research into solutions for issues like global warming, climate change, drought, and soil degradation. The Izmir Agriculture Development Center ‒ Sasalı Biolab in Çiğli, Izmir, integrates education and production, featuring conventional and smart soil agricultural fields, high-density planting plots, greenhouses, an eco-market, a multipurpose hall, training facilities, laboratories, a library, and technical/wet areas. Spatial elements are linked in a linear fashion along a bioswale and circulation axis, guiding visitors from a northern entrance through educational spaces, diverging at the eco-market to farming zones, and concluding at southern agricultural fields for a sustainability experience.
©Kıvanç Sönmez – Stoa Photography
©Kıvanç Sönmez – Stoa Photography
Mert Uslu Architects
Principal |
Mert Uslu |
Year of establishment |
2010 |
Location |
Konak, Izmir, Türkiye |
Number of staff |
5 |
Mert Uslu Architects (Mert Uslu)
Çiğli, Izmir, Türkiye
applied agriculture centre, education facility
12,600㎡
1,750㎡
RC, steel frame
2018 ‒ 2019
2020 ‒ 2021
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality
The office participates in architectural competitions that enhance discussions in architectural discourse and the practice of architecture; providing services on project-based consultancy; coordination and solutionoriented approaches in construction site applications, as well as design and implementation. Environmentally sensitive designs with contemporary architectural production ideas, and the healing power of architecture are important aspects of the firm’s approach.