Project Date: 2011
Area: 168,000 m2
Location: Ankara
Architectural Design: gmp Architekten von Gerkan, Marg und Partner, A Tasarım Mimarlık
Structural Engineer: Binnewies, Yüksek Project
Mechanical Engineer: Protec, Metta Engineering
Electrical Engineer: Protec, Yurdakul Engineering
Landscape Design: Breimann & Bruun, Dalokay Design Studio
Signage: Form Kombinat, Katharina Marg
Planned for a site in the new development area of Akyurt, near Esenboğa Airport, The Ankara International Exhibition and Convention Center is a project by the Ankara International Exhibition and Convention Corporation in partnership with the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges, the Ankara Chamber of Commerce, the Ankara Chamber of Industry, the Ankara Commodity Exchange, the Akyurt Municipality, and the Ankara Union of Chambers of Artisans and Craftsmen.
The new Exhibition and Convention Center is located in the Northern Ankara Akyurt development area. A rail system will connect the airport to the city center to make the new convention center accessible. There are three convention centers in the world—Dubai, Paris, and Berlin—where aerospace conventions can be organized due to their proximity to an airport. As a result of its strategic location, Ankara’s fair center is a candidate to be the fourth. The Ankara International Exhibition and Convention Center with its square layout centered on a courtyard (serenity garden) is a unique project as opposed to usual convention buildings that contain exhibition rooms attached on a linear circulation area.
The first stage of the project consists of 50,000 square meters of exhibition and activity areas and 50,000 square meters of conference, food and beverage, and service spaces. The second stage of modular expansion will contain 100,000 square meters of closed exhibition space. The expansion area can be used as an open exhibition area. The proposed project includes a separate exhibition area designated for Air Expos in conjunction with the planned third runway of the airport. There are highly visible media cubes and light towers located on the access route that will guide visitors. The first stage includes five exhibition and activity halls with an area of 10,000 square meters. The center of the design is the serenity garden. This section’s design is inspired by Anatolian caravanserais, with water elements and multi-level pools in the middle of the courtyard. The courtyard aims to provide a serene atmosphere and offer visitors a respite from the business of the fair organizations.
The building will be built quickly and structural systems have been proposed for all functional, aesthetic, and conceptual needs of the building. The building system is based on U-modules that are integrated with each other in various ways. The façade design and the load-bearing systems were developed on the basis of the 120-centimeter axes of these modules.