as Senior Architect & Design Manager @ ONCUOGLU+ACP Architecture

Basra, Iraq, 31500m2, public 
Created the 3d concept idea, produced mass and facade design, managed the render process

Being an important part of Basra Sports City, which is an existing masterplan with a ready stadium design, Basra Sports Halls includes pools and halls for indoor ball games. The project area is very close to Basra Stadium, designed by 360 Architecture, which attracts attention for its leaf-like organic facade shading elements.
Oncuoglu+ACP was asked to prepare a concept project for the part of Sports Halls in order to attend to an international tender (bidder).
The project area was replanned within the existing masterplan and assigned to work as a key stone integrating the overall design of the complex. In the new planning, the three required sports halls in an array undertake the conciliatory and complimentory role between the stadium and
sports guest houses. The main interference to the existing masterplan is the newly created direct path from the center of the guest houses to the stadium. The administrative building which was placed on the other side of this alley also defines a positive urban space in the front.

The main circulation platform around the halls is raised up in order to avoid unnecessary excavation, however this also helps provide a better protected space against drifting sand. When I received the project as floor plans were finalized as rough rectangular masses. Inspired from the abstract leaf elements of the existing stadium, the first idea that came to my mind was, white organic shells with a dynamic yet pure effect by interpreting the design language of the stadium as a continuation, like
a queue end to the guest housing direction, which would also be great solar ray reflectors and shaders with large eaves.
My first sketch shows the formal idea that I desired on the roof plan. In the design process, I assumed a single organic white shell is first split among the alley and between the halls, later stretched to opposite sides in xy direction and to opposite corners in the z direction in order to provide dynamism and distinction between the halls.
In paralel to this initial sketch, the consecutive SketchUp models were done in order to overlap with the existing planning and adjust to architectural needs such as sun control and structural enable ability. For that, structurally to avoid an unrequired columnated effect, lower level corners of the shells were extended to attach to the ground. Climatically to deal with the most problematic long southwest facade, those shear walls were kept larger for more shade.
Below the shells, the facade was articulated by simply three architectural elements. Wiremesh vertical elements for staircases; contrasting dark stone masonry walls for large surfaces
and slightly tilted lineer wooden shaders between the roof and the deck edge, for more sun control and closure. Teak wood decking was chosen as material for the main circulation platform which is elevated on stone cladded columns. Large signages with sports graphics were also used as a design elements attached on the facades for orientation.