Science and art centers evaluation with a participant approach and determining design criteria

Science and art centers (BİLSEM) established for the education of gifted person have a significant value in helping these individuals discover their talents and become useful individuals for society. In the examinations, it was seen that BİLSEM buildings were built no different from traditional schools, ignoring user needs and expectations. However, the space should be shaped and organized depending on user needs and behaviors. In this study, it is aimed to create design criteria for science and art centers, taking into account the requirements of 21. century and the expectations of the users. In the study, post occupancy evaluation and user participation approach was used. As a result of the study, BİLSEMs; in addition to hosting spaces specific to the characters of gifted students, such as research and discovery; it has been seen that it should have spatial formations that will meet physical and social needs such as playing, doing sports and chatting. In addition, it has been concluded that BİLSEMs are important not only for their users but also as a social center for the society, and that they should be organized as an educational campus that appeals to users of different ages and groups.