Tripoli Congress Center
Published in 2A Magazine Issue #15&16 Autumn 2010 Winter 2011
Melkan Gursel Tabanlioglu
Melkan Gürsel Tabanlıoğlu: She studied architecture at Istanbul Technical University. After graduating in 1993 she attended Polytechnic University of Metropolitan Catalonia for Master of Architecture. She joined Tabanlioğlu Architects in 1995 as the partner of the company. In addition to the architectural prizes for projects she signed, she has been selected as one of the “Europe 40 under 40” for 2008. She is a member of ULI (Urban Land Institute). She gives lectures at various national and international platforms; she has been member of jury at many awards and competitions.
Tabanlıoğlu Architects was established in 1990 by Arch. Murat Tabanlıoğlu in collaboration with Dr. Hayati Tabanlıoğlu.
Consisting of 100 personnel, operating basically in Turkey, Libya, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Croatia, Azerbaijan, and other CIS Countries, Tabanlıoğlu is an architectural company with more then 50 years old experience. Searching for new efficiencies in terms of global and environmental needs and developments, Tabanlıoğlu has been awarded several international and national prizes; the company ranks 79th in “BD World Architecture” top 100 list of year 2009.
Tabanlıoğlu renders services of projects and counseling in architecture, urban planning, and interior design, in national and worldwide scales. The works comprise a wide range of building types including innovative mix use projects. The projects of the company should be considered in two main periods of 1958-1990, and 1990 – today.
Tripoli Congress Center
Libya
2009-2010
Presidential Representative
Open to the world cultures and where diverse languages meet up, Tripoli Convention Hall is a strong element of high representation and welcome presidents of the world in the texture of the natural environment.
Surrounded by the woods, the rectangular two-storey ‘block’ is nested in a semi-transparent metal envelop as a “shield” that opens up to the external landscape with a wide portico that defines the main entrance. Between the mesh and the inner glass walls a semi-open shady circulation area is created as an extension of the landscape.
Incise patterns inspired by the trees around the site, permit controlled daylight to diffuse into the central space and at night the oozing beams through the slits integrate with the wood at the background.
Glass wall systems allow for the maximum viewing area with no horizontal or vertical mullions to obstruct the vision. By transparency, the interiors benefit the optimum daylight in a controlled manner also by the mesh installation around the alleys surrounding the building. The extraordinary character of the building is supported by the 350 square meter computer controlled mediamesh media façade installed at the entrance; not only for its high brilliance but also for it’s the transparency.
For a state building welcoming the presidents of the world, the use of ‘glass wall’ is also a metaphor symbolizing directness and openness. As well as the balances of light and shadow, transparency of a communal space and confidentiality of affairs of state is carefully practiced in the physical existence of the project.
Corresponding contemporary needs and architectural values, the building is in harmony with its “place” in terms of natural resources and cultural heritage. It is simple but functional and finds its expression in clarity and sincerity.
The Center signifies the spirit of its homeland and claims to establish a physical relation with the global community.
