Sera Urban Park

Located in the city center of Tarsus district in southern Turkey, the park had long been an idle area. It has been redesigned to strengthen social interaction and create a public space that harmonizes with nature. Considering the surrounding student dormitories and densely populated residential areas, the park has been restructured to appeal to visitors of all ages. This transformation aims to integrate the park with the urban fabric, turning it into a dynamic and vibrant hub that supports sports, arts, and social life.

Previously enclosed by walls and with limited accessibility, the park was reimagined as a more open and inviting space. The removal of its boundaries and the introduction of an open and fluid design have made the park accessible from all directions. Unlike the conventional parks in Turkey, where stepping on certain areas is restricted, this park has been designed to allow users to freely explore every corner. Accessibility, flexibility, and multifunctionality have been prioritized throughout.

Organic forms replaced the rigid and linear lines of the previous design. Walking paths were extended to encourage visitors to walk and explore. A fluid circulation scheme was established, allowing users to move naturally through the space.

Instead of the monotonous plant arrangements commonly seen in urban parks, local flora and tropical varieties that reflect Tarsus's rich biodiversity were introduced. This approach adds visual richness and highlights the local identity. Moreover, the selected plants enhance the park with their aromatic qualities. By incorporating focal points with distinct functions and various spaces between them, the park has been transformed into a vibrant and dynamic public realm.

Spatial Arrangements

A unified color palette inspired by laterite soil tones was employed across the park and the café, ensuring visual coherence. Materials of differing textures were combined using the same tones to create a calm and natural aesthetic, free of visual competition. This minimalistic approach allowed the landscape to take center stage.

Soft textures and natural materials were used to create walkable surfaces, including gravel, sand, pebble carpets, and grass. These materials, alongside water elements, enable visitors to engage with different surfaces throughout the park.

Café and Sensory Experience

One of the park's key structural elements, the 600 m² café, was redesigned while preserving the curvilinear forms of the original building. The circular indoor café area and the elliptical metal canopy defining the outdoor spaces became the central elements of the design. Repetitive pergolas of varying heights and sizes created rhythmic harmony and added dynamism to the park.

A 50 cm-wide water feature encircling the café provided a cooling and playful threshold between indoor and outdoor spaces. This area allows visitors to relax by dipping their feet into the water or cooling off on hot days. Beyond being a visual element, the water feature serves as a space where young people and children can freely play, promoting a sense of freedom.

This design blurs traditional boundaries, encouraging visitors to actively engage with the space through physical interaction. The café is transformed into a meeting point that evokes a sense of freedom and joy through the tactile experience of water, becoming more than just a place to sit and spend time.

The same concept extends to the café's outdoor seating areas, where sand surfaces were used, inviting visitors to walk barefoot or sit comfortably. The seating arrangements, including chairs, poufs, and relaxed corners for sitting on the ground, create an informal atmosphere that encourages visitors to feel at ease. This space offers a break from the structured routines of urban life, inviting people to embrace comfort and relaxation.

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Social Interaction and Play Areas

Moving beyond traditional sports fields like basketball and volleyball courts, the park offers activities such as climbing, padel, yoga, pilates, table tennis, and multifunctional walls. These spaces provide enjoyable and creative experiences for young people and children, encouraging open-ended play where they can create their own stories.

Artistic Spaces and Social Gathering Points

Flexible-use areas such as open-air cinemas, festival zones, and live performance corners were designed to foster artistic and cultural engagement. Shared tables and gathering points were introduced to enhance social interaction. Collaborations with local artists have enriched the park's cultural identity. Graffiti walls and artistic corners allow visitors to leave their personal marks, turning the park into an evolving social space.

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Safety and Comfort

Various seating options were designed to meet the diverse needs of users, offering both shaded and sunny areas. Natural ventilation was supported by trees, pergolas, and cooling elements. The park's layout ensures clear visibility of all areas, enhancing safety. Strategic lighting elements provide a secure environment during evening hours.

Traces of Time and Collective Memory

The Tarsus Park Redevelopment Project is designed as a space that carries the traces of time, becoming more beautiful with natural aging and serving as a place where visitors can create lasting memories. Features like slow-growing plants and moss-covered stones add depth to the space. By offering areas where users can leave their marks, the park becomes a meeting point that strengthens collective memory.

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