Living in bio-climatic layers: An investigation of Cappadocian caves in relation to today’s design and its futures

This exploratory paper discusses a primary study on Cappadocian caves’ bioclimatic performance, speculating on its application to today’s and future Performance Oriented Architecture (Hensel 2010; Hensel 2011; Hensel 2013). It is a rough initial pre-study to future broader research, claiming the need and relevance for in depth investigations. As too little has been done in this field, the project seeks to demonstrate how layering of spaces in relation to material and building techniques may manipulate different peals of exterior, semi-interior and interior spaces’ climates in onion principle in respect to its use (Davidová 2016a; Davidová 2016b) and different species’ habitation (Davidová 2016b), discussing its contemporary and future potentials for architectural practice on the work of Collaborative Collective’s examples (Collaborative Collective 2012; Collaborative Collective 2016). The paper argues for fully adaptable architecture, that is full part of and in constant coexistence with its surrounding ecosystem. Thematic GIGA-mapping (Sevaldson 2011; Sevaldson 2012; Sevaldson 2015) was used as an analysing tool for systemic relations of collected registered data, as well as existing information, merging hard data with tacit knowledge (see Figure 1). The map shows air flow passing through different layers of spaces as the most important factor of the climatic conditions, depth and height location as a second one. This is all interrelated in co-existence to the use of the spaces. Here it seems that symbiosis of humans and other species can play a crucial role in climate comfort and both mentioned vary over time. Therefore, we believe, that due to recent fast climate and society change, with expected weather extremes (Czech Republic Ministry of the Environment and Czech Hydrometeorological Institute 2015; Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment and Urbanization 2012; Flæte et al. 2010; Richardson 2010), transformative adaptive architecture should be investigated with the use of biology: reconfiguration as a new form of recycling