Consulate General of Turkey

Consulate General of Turkey in Geneva is the first representative of Ottoman Empire in swiss land. During the Republic, it has begun and continues today to function as turkish Consulate. For the concept of necessary changes for the waiting room of the consulate, we have used and interpreted the architecture and the decorative elements of this both periods with the lines of the modern trend. The obligation not to touch the building elements such as walls and ceiling, which was one of the biggest problem for any renovation, has raised the idea of a space within a space. With the metal construction, made with metal profiles, we provided support for new walls and new ceiling. On this construction we applied ceramic tiles with traditional ottoman pattern. In each cube, made with the same ceramics, we put soil from the 81 cities of Turkey and we have exposed them by hanging on the metal construction. These soils, which occupy an important place in turkish culture, are intended to create emotional ties between Turkey and visitors of the Consulate. These cubes that stand out of the ceramic panel create trompe l'oeil. Cubes whose detachment is provided by a LED lighting turquoise are revised with a larger scale to create counters where visitors can get forms and fill them. To the detached elements, and this is the most striking specialty of this project, is added a furniture in the style of the early years of the Republic to which we have removed the rear feet in order to create again this effect of detachment and floating in space. This modernized furniture is supported by the metal construction and it is emphasized by a turquoise LED lighting. Near the window, there is a bookshelf in the form of house which has models of small brightly colored apartments, like a toy house. In this area, children can spend time playing while they have to stay in the waiting room. In the bookshelf, coloring books and french-turkish books are also made available. Clocks showing the times in different cities of Turkey and a clock that shows local time are arranged in the multimedia corner, where a TV, newspapers and various brochures are made available for visitors of the Consulate. Plants used in this area give vitality to the atmosphere of the waiting room and relax visitors during any prolonged wait. Choice of ceiling design is inspired by the traditional home we could find to the birth of the Republic. It is emphasized by a barrisol lightening, homogeneous and scattered. The waiting room has been modernized while keeping the traditional and ergonomic features of it's function. It has been transformed into a place where turkish citizens and foreign visitors can feel at ease and comfortable. This space that represent one of the gates of Turkey opening to Europe shows to visitors a modern look and a rich and complex architectural history.