Designing a Unique Ecological Building for Interdisciplinary Research: iDEEGE Technopark by ATÖLYE Labs

Project Overview:

iDEEGE Technopark A.Ş., located within Ege University in Izmir, Turkey, is an innovative technopark project designed to foster collaboration among interdisciplinary research teams. The first development within a 50,000 m² masterplan, the facility repurposes 35 second-hand shipping containers to create a dynamic research hub. The space accommodates independent R&D firms focusing on biotechnology, energy, materials, and software, providing a setting for collaboration and innovation. Key “catalysts,” including a hackerspace and a gallery, were integrated into the design to encourage interaction among the diverse community of researchers and developers.

Design Concept:

The project sought to meet the needs of an adaptable, low-impact, and sustainable research facility. The space needed to house office and laboratory units that could be rented and relocated as required. To respond to this, ATÖLYE Labs explored building types with simple construction processes and considered İzmir’s unique location near the port as an opportunity. By repurposing second-hand shipping containers and integrating them into an existing infrastructure of a demolished building, the design reduced the construction’s carbon footprint.

Research and Development:

In the early stages of design, the ATÖLYE Labs team collaborated closely with all stakeholders, including the client and researchers, to define the project’s requirements. The team visited eight leading technoparks in Turkey and engaged in interviews with administrative staff and researchers to gather insights into the positive and negative aspects of existing research environments. This research helped refine the design process, leading to a deeper understanding of how to create a 21st-century R&D campus.

The team also studied international research campuses, considering both digital and spatial equipment. The question “How can we create an R&D campus that meets the needs of the 21st century?” emerged as a response to the challenge of constructing a versatile and income-generating 1,000 m² building. This question helped shape the design roadmap for the project.

Design Evolution:

The initial design stage was informed by continuous feedback from the client every 15 days. The team also visited container-based projects in Istanbul and Izmir to gather firsthand insights from design and construction teams. This field research influenced several adjustments to the original design, including reducing the height of the two-storey units to lower costs and shorten the construction timeline. The containers were reconfigured into 2, 3, and 4-unit modules. In anticipation of future developments, the design included pathways between the modules to enhance circulation within the campus.

Masterplan and Future Growth:

The team developed two masterplans that preserved the three existing buildings alongside Container Park, while also incorporating a future expansion area of 83,000 m². A 10-year staging plan was established to guide future growth and ensure the campus can evolve and adapt over time. These plans emphasized flexibility and sustainability, ensuring the facility would continue to serve the needs of future researchers and entrepreneurs.

Core Objective:

The primary objective of iDEEGE Technopark is to create a collaborative, transparent research and production environment that encourages new intersections between different fields of expertise. By fostering these interactions, the project aims to enable the creation of impactful, long-term research initiatives. The result is a versatile space that nurtures interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, shaping the future of R&D in Izmir and beyond.

Project Credits:

Design Team:

• ATÖLYE Labs: Architectural design, strategic consulting, sustainability consulting, landscape design, project management, site control

• Collaboration with various engineering and design teams for furniture, multimedia, and spatial graphics

Project Manager:

• Nesile Yalçın

Status: Built
Location: Izmir, Turkey

Visit the Project: Container Park on Archello

This project exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to designing ecological, flexible, and collaborative spaces for research, providing a model for future technopark developments in Turkey and worldwide.