The effects of the concept of flexibility in cultural center buildings on the interior in the context of universal design: investigation of atatürk cultural center

In recent years, cultural centers have become prominent in major cities of Turkey, such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, and the aim of this study is to examine the designs of these cultural centers by categorizing their structural and functional features based on the functions of Atatürk Cultural Center as an exemplary case. Another objective of this study is to evaluate the interior functions of cultural centers that are planned to be constructed in the future, ensuring that flexible designs presented in the interior spaces of cultural centers built in different periods can be accessible to each user and refunctionalized accordingly. The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate user expectations and satisfaction through the use of flexible designs in the interior spaces of cultural centers, present spatial configurations, and provide interior architectural suggestions and future predictions by examining the structure. When flexibility is considered etymologically, it refers to the ability to extend, shorten, bend, and return to its original form after the effect of an external force ceases, having the qualities of being flexible, adaptable, and suitable (İslamoğlu, 2018). Over the years, it has been observed that architectural concepts have become terminologically intertwined with other thoughts and qualities related to flexibility. Yürekli (1983) stated that while flexibility and adaptability share similar qualities, these concepts become more complex in terminological terms. Karakaş and Sönmez (2019) divided flexibility in architecture into three categories: "static flexibility," "growth flexibility," and "continuous flexibility." This classification supports the statement above. Before delving into the topic of cultural centers, this thesis provides information about the implications, relationships, and user interactions of flexibility within the context of universal design. An on-site analysis will be conducted, focusing on the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM), to examine and analyze its characteristics. The ultimate goal is to determine to what extent Turkey has embraced the concept of a new generation cultural center and how well it has been designed in a functional and universal manner, as well as to identify the reasons behind the incorporation of flexible designs in the interior spaces of the structure.