History of the Diocare Bastion
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AIM OF THE PROJECT
Our association MAKEMÜD, which was established to create a museum, is in the process of creating a collection of cultural heritage on various platforms necessary for the establishment of a museum. In this framework, a space requirement has arisen for the exhibition of the tangible and intangible collection on Famagusta being carried out.
We as the Association, together with the co-operation of the Municipality, aim to create a multi-functional axis of culture, art and history by refunctioning a variety of spaces which are administered by Municipality, in the section of the Famagusta City-Walls, extending from the entrance of the Land Gate, from the Akkule Bastion (Ravelin Bastion) until the end of the Space number 6. With this intention, the Space number 4 (a chamber in the City Walls), will be refunctioned as a multi-purpose hall both for temporary exhibitions and other variable activities, and the Space number 6 (Diocare Bastion), will be refunctioned as the permanent exhibition space, that develops with the increase in the collection by the progress of the works of the Famagusta City Museum Association.
Diocare Bastion, as it is known, is one of the 13 bastions within the Famagusta City-Walls built as a defence architecture (fortification) of the Venetian Period.
SPACE LAYOUT
The project, which will be realised in the first phase of the Famagusta City Museum, will reveal the potential of that region to create an axis of culture, art and history with different functions that will be placed in a series of spaces located next to the Akkule Bastion (Ravelin Bastion) of the Famagusta Walls.
It is proposed that small spaces such as the space next to the Ravelin Bastion, the WC, the external spatialized chamber, the water tank and the other chambers will be brought together and a unity will be achieved through landscape design in the outdoor space.
CURRENT STATUS
The Space No: 6 (Diocare Bastion) consists of vaulted interiors on different levels connected by stairs. This sophisticated space has a total of 9 vaulted interiors, where the first one is at the entrance level. The rest at a lower level, are reached by a long stair space. A landing reaches to 4 symmetrical vaulted interiors on the lower level and 4 on the upper level, located on a main axis. These vaulted interiors descend towards the ends and fall below the headroom clearance height. All vaulted spaces on the upper level have shafts reaching to open air on the main axis and all lower spaces have square openings on their ceilings which connect to the upper spaces.
The place in question preserves its structural integrity and does not have any negative data such as moisture, mould, stone masonry deformation.
Two of the vaulted spaces on the lower levels, open symmetrically to the ditch surrounding the City-Walls. It is suggested that these door openings and the window openings (embrasures ) in the other vaulted spaces, which were closed with stone masonry afterwards, should be cleaned and restored to their original state (liberation). It is envisioned that the doors marked in the image, can be converted into emergency exit doors.
PURPOSE AND APPROACH OF THE PROJECT
Exhibition Theme
Diocare Bastion will be used as the permanent Exhibition Area of the Famagusta City Museum project. The theme of the exhibition will be based on the story of the City-Walls and the importance of the ‘Mazgal’s (Mazgal means ‘embrasure’ in Turkish but in local language this word is used for all indoor spaces within the City-Walls) within the narrative of Famagusta city history.
Exhibition Method
The exhibition method will mainly emphasise the authentic character of the original space, such as its structural features, texture and materials. The exhibition format in the interior will be predominantly digital, with a limited number of objects to support the permanent exhibition concept.
Number of Users
The number of people who can visit the Exhibition Area at the same time, was determined by calculation according to international standards. The total interior area is 154.65 m2 (1665 square feet). Taking into account the standard load factor in the link below, it was found that the maximum user capacity for 1665 square feet is 56 [1]. In order for the space to be perceived, instead of admitting the maximum capacity, the attendant at the entrance is planned to take the visitors inside by dividing them into smaller groups. [1]. In order for the space to be perceived, instead of admitting the maximum capacity, the attendant at the entrance is planned to take the visitors inside by dividing them into groups.
Ventilation
The original ventilation system will be preserved in the exhibition area. While using this ventilation system, it is proposed to make a chimney cap that will prevent rain and birds from entering inside, with louvres and mesh for the existing shafts. Here, a design that does not intrude the shaft, has been prepared. The similar design approach was also used in other spaces. The mechanical project is prepared for a future need of additional mechanical ventilated, in case of a dampness problem. It is solved by applying a suction motor into the protective system placed on the chimney on the roof. This system can suck in the dirty air and draw in fresh and clean air with the negative pressure effect.
Infrastructure Recommendations
It is proposed to build a wooden platform on top of the existing floor and to meet the needs of all exhibition elements by inserting the infrastructure (electricity, data, etc.) under the floor, by leaving gaps on the edges of the walls. The railings to be used at the borders of the wooden platforms in the interior, will be mounted on the structure of the platforms, instead of implementing them directly on the existing floor.
The existing stairs in the space are carved out of solid rock and have irregular riser heights. In a previous renovation effort, concrete layer has been added on top of the steps. In order to ensure the safety and ergonomic comfort of visitors while using the space, a staircase and railing is proposed, to be manufactured with a hollow box profile that does not prevent the visual perception of the existing steps.
Lighting elements will provide illumination by reflecting from the ceiling by inserting electrical infrastructure into the new platform over the existing floor.
External Perception of the Exhibition Area
It is proposed that the entrance door should be transparent and positioned slightly inwards and that an iron permeable guard door should be installed on the existing hinges above the arched entrance of the vaulted space.
In order to be able to walk on the City-Walls, a staircase was designed with a light structure on the existing sloping ground. In order to ensure the visual integrity of the Famagusta City-Walls, the railing details used in cultural heritage buildings such as Martinengo Bastion and Ravelin Bastion were considered to be applied. The railings, which should be used to ensure the safety of visitors climbing on the fortification wall, are positioned slightly behind the wall surface in order to have a lower effect on the visual area.
The existing olive trees in front of the Space no 6 are preserved; and they are planned to be illuminated with dramatic lighting. The olive trees form an axis parallel to the City-Wall, therefore seating elements are designed on this axis. It is proposed that the urban furniture should speak the same language as the seating elements used in the moat. Buri powder will be used in the circulation areas, obtained in accordance with the landscape design in the outdoor area.
CURRENT STATUS OF CONSTRUCTION
The Diocare Bastion Exhibition Area Project was approved by the AYK (Anıtlar Yüksek Kurulu) and its presentation was made on 22nd March 2025. Feedbacks on the project were received with public participation. The renovation of the building started on 24th March 2025.
PROJECT TEAM
Architectural Project Chief Architect:
Architect Aysel Alihan
Consultants:
Prof. Dr. Uğur Ulaş Dağlı
Prof. Dr. Özlem Olgaç Türker
Architect, Restoration Specialist Cavide Atukalp
Landscape Architect
Landscape architect, Defne Feridun
Preliminary Design Support
Interior Architect Erhan Ilhan
Photographic Measurements:
Ahmet Burak Keşkek
Mechanical Engineer
Ilhan Onbaşı
[1] (https://buildingcodetrainer.com/how-to-calculate-occupant-load-ibc/)
