MerKaBah
2nd Year Project - Music Therapy Center
I would like to start the explanation with the name of the project. Mer-Ka-Ba represents the Mer-Private light, Ka-Individual soul, and Ba-the soul's interpretation of a specific reality. In our reality, Ba is often defined as the body or physical reality. In other realities where souls do not have bodies, it pertains to their concepts or the interpretation of the truth they bring. Mer-Ka-Ba is a set of light fields that simultaneously affect the soul and the body, rotating in opposite directions. Mer-Ka-Ba serves as a vehicle that transports the soul or the body from one world or dimension to another.
The concept's genesis stemmed from the experiences of a local shaman community in the region during their physical and spiritual journeys. In this journey, the goal isn't to reach a destination but to gain experiences along the path to the destination. Upon examining the terrain, existing structures on the site were distinct but connected by wooden platforms and pillars. Therefore, I chose a timber box as the structural system. In addition to the timber box, I opted for mycelium blocks as façade elements, which are in harmony with the concept.
Mycelium is a sustainable material that provides breathability, sound insulation, and thermal insulation by reusing organic waste from nature. This transformation is a reference to the journey undertaken by shamans who perform rituals in the heart of the land, traveling between the underground, the surface, and the sky dome.
From the site entrance to the entrance of the building, I designed mesh pathways suitable for differently-abled citizens, using the terrain elevations. I chose mesh because I aim to convey the first experience to those walking on these paths, without disrupting their connection to the earth, rain, wind, and sun. This experience is a homage to the Earth's surface.
As we enter the "Heart," I define small seating areas, immersing people in a different world. This world is a reference to the underground realm. We also experience this in the atrium. Upon entering the entrance building, we connect from the souvenir section to the atrium using a labyrinthine logic to continue the journey. The atrium is a semi-open courtyard directly linked to the performance area, cafe, and residential area.
The treatment rooms are located in the most private part of the site. The primary reason for this is to emphasize privacy, as individuals coming for treatment should feel comfortable. Additionally, there is a tree with a sweet scent in this area whose name I am not familiar with. I wanted to support the treatment with the north wind and this scent.
