Re-imagining Cappadocia is the international one-stage competition organized by the GAD Foundation in cooperation with Indigo Group that takes place in the Cappadocia Region of Turkey, aims to draw young professionals with a degree in architecture studies (≤ 35 years old) to propose architecture projects with the purpose of increased sustainability, efficiency, microclimatic solutions and respect for geological and ecological factors. The competition is set in the Avanos district of the Cappadocia Region of Turkey, in a typical Anatolian landscape.

Avanos is a town and district of Nevşehir Province in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey, located 18 km (11 mi) north of Nevşehir, the capital city of the province. It is situated within the historic and tourist region of Cappadocia. According to the 2000 census, the population of the district is 35,145 of which 12,288 live in the town of Avanos. The district covers an area of 994 km2 (384 sq mi), and the average elevation is 920 m (3,018 ft), with the highest point being Mt. İsmail Sivrisi at 1,756 m (5,761 ft).The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa, overlooks the longest river in Turkey, the Kızılırmak (Red River), which also separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery; it is also the most economic activity in the town.

Cappadocia located in the center of Turkey with its history going back to antiquity is one of the most important historical centers. The unique geology and geography of its landscape have affected various housing styles emerging in Cappadocia. Soft stone wearing away over thousands of years has become the iconic form that has become a symbol of Cappadocia and the civilizations in the center of Turkey.

In the Roman period, Cappadocia became the escape and refuge for early Christianity from religious persecution. According to the archaeological research of early Christian civilization, around 3000 stone houses inside and under the ground in the region shaped like churches and chapels became shelters for Areligious rituals as a network of large underground cities.

As a result of erosion and earthquakes, parts of these morphological formations are now in the open air. In Byzantine times, they served as both cloisters and residential spaces. The fairy chimneys that are dotted around the countryside add a unique and particular character to the area. It was likely constructed out of tuff (a form of rock particular to the region) and used to secure the fortress’s water supply and act as a link to the outside world. Many dovecotes have been carved into the valley’s cliff faces over the years creating large frontal surfaces. Many niches are formed inside these surfaces for local birds to roost in.

The river Kızılırmak, which is the longest river in the second largest basin in Turkey, transects the Avanos region and is an important morphological asset by its sedimentological-stratigraphical characters. While the Kızılırmak has played a significant role in shaping the region’s identity, development, and economic structure of the settlement, it determined the morphological and physical structure of the settlement of Avanos located on the river’s banks. Water resources, streams, river banks, and particularly groundwater generating geothermal strata are fed by this long-dated water body, Kizilirmak. This strong relationship with water and its determinant role in the morphological and geological identity of the Avanos with an emphasis on the ecological, contextual, environmental, spatial, and innovative issues shape one of the core notions of this competition.

We are in a period when new experiences are required for an ever expanding global culture. Especially within this context, the Avanos region presents impressive experiences regarding human-nature interaction and comfort with the effect of the environment end ecology. The underground water is a geothermal energy source for natural thermal hot springs observed in the region making water an important natural resource that must be seen as a symbol of architecture. For this reason, water is used as a visible feature with a symbolic and spatial effect. A healthy microclimate is to be created with the combination of the natural geothermal underground water and the dry air of the high Cappadocia plateau. The natural rock texture while connecting the potential spaces with the effects of skylights opens up and creates a surprising and magical visual effect. A thermal spring and natural dams in the region become the basis of the lagoon that was integrated into the project.