Architectural-Urban Design Competition

Witness | Living Ruins Karaköy

Living Ruins Kayaköy is an architectural and urban design competition project that explores the relationship between memory, historic ruins, and contemporary spatial experience. Conceived as a living archive of time, the project aims to preserve the character of Kayaköy while creating meaningful connections between visitors and the site's cultural heritage. Respecting the existing ruins and natural landscape, the design introduces a flexible visitor route beginning at the visitor center. This journey continues through historic houses, streets, and landmarks, allowing visitors to encounter traces of past lives, migration, and collective memory. Storytelling, local interactions, and cultural events become part of the spatial experience, establishing a dialogue between the past and present. Rather than treating the village as a static historical setting, the project encourages visitors to engage with its evolving identity. Through this approach, Living Ruins Kayaköy transforms the visitor experience into a personal journey, where each individual becomes part of the memory they witness.