Datca Republic Square

Can Kaya has created a new place for communication in the small holiday town Datca in Turkey.

Datca is one of the little towns of Mugla, Turkey. It is a coastal settlement and its population is 10,080. In summer time, the population increases to more than 30,000 depending on tourism. Climatic conditions and tourism redounded to the necessity of a “public space”. So, Datca Municipality Council decided to reconstruct the Datca Republic Square in 2007.
Can Kaya designed the new square as an “empty” platform covered with a uniform material (hammered white Mugla marble).
A branch of the coastal pedestrian path, previously detached from the square, has been redirected towards the street. Marble seating blocks were designed on the square and the areas with these blocks have been landscaped. The stairs in the square facing the coastline have been covered with wood, creating a massive bench which can accommodate up to 200 people. Thus, the square has been turned into a public space for people to gather together and rest, or for children to ride their bikes and enjoy the sun at any time of the day. Water was used as an element that could attract people’s interest and pep up the daily atmosphere throughout the square.

More about the project on p.32 - 42 in the new issue of Abitare Bulgaria.