Reading Place in a Historical Context Through Phenomena in Architectural Competitions

Cities are dynamic memory spaces connecting the past and the future, nourishing social memory and identity. Public spaces, as the most significant spatial components of cities, have become both physical and social heritage symbols of urban culture. This article focuses on how architectural competitions examine the geographical, historical, and cultural characteristics of places in public space design and the design decisions related to these contexts. The study investigates the concept of place in architecture through original projects developed for two architectural idea competitions. It deeply analyzes the integration of the designed space with its historical context, urban memory, and phenomenological experiences established with city dwellers. The importance of architectural place for public spaces was explored through award-winning projects. Specifically, the projects "Sazlık 2.0" and "Hazan" highlight the necessity of developing designs with a comprehensive approach that transcends physical boundaries, incorporating cultural, historical, and geographical elements. The relationship with place has been reduced to a semantic dimension through phenomenological experiences. This situation has been defined as an encounter with an abstract idea, a historical, cultural entity or settled memories in a particular place rather than a geographical location in the essence of the phenomenological experience. The findings emphasize that designs based on urban memory increase the likelihood of success, as evidenced by the award-winning projects where historical, cultural, and geographical features were prominently addressed through a direct connection with the place. In conclusion, the study advocates for rethinking public spaces situated within the historical urban memory not merely as physical entities but as components shaped by time, culture, and the environment, as demonstrated by the design alternatives developed for architectural competitions.