Foster + Partners and BIG, as part of a consortium led by the Turkish Design Council, will help rebuild Hatay after the earthquake on February 6, 2023.
According to a Turkish architecture magazine called Arkitera, local studios such as DB Architects and KEYM also take part in the Hatay earthquake project, which includes 13 companies across fields including architecture, planning, and engineering.
“We are looking forward to working with local communities and collaborating with architecture, planning, urban design, and engineering experts in Turkey to help develop plans for the historic city of Antakya,” said Foster + Partners’ senior executive Nigel Dancey.
At the center of the proposal will be a masterplan for Antakya (also known as Antioch), 80% of which was destroyed during the quake. Foster + Partners will lead the team behind the Hatay Masterplan. According to the same news, the new master plan would focus specifically on the “restoration of historical sites,” including churches, bathhouses, mosques, and synagogues.
Hatay is a historically important settlement in Turkey, with a rich history dating back to the early Bronze Age. It was once a part of the Akkadian Empire, the first ancient empire of Mesopotamia, and later the Amorite Kingdom of Yamhad. The province is home to several renowned archaeological sites, such as Alalakh, Tell Tayinat, Tell Judaidah, and Antioch. Also, the city was an important center of the Roman Empire.
“This design aims to preserve Hatay’s unique identity while making it resilient to earthquake risks,” said Bunyamin Derman of DB Architects added “We are trying to achieve a master plan that will enable the residents of Hatay, who migrated after the earthquake, to return to their homeland.”
Although the specific details of the master plan have not yet been announced, Bunyamin Derman mentioned that the new buildings will be constructed using various materials such as wood, steel, and reinforced concrete.
“Hatay will become a global exemplar for earthquake recovery, taking best practice principles from around the world and applying them to its unique context.” chairman Kalyoncu said.
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