Research Information System
9th International Congress LivenARCH IX , Trabzon, Turkey, 25 - 27 September 2025, vol.1, no.1, pp.242-262, (Full Text)
Geological heritage refers to the totality of geological formations, fossils, and natural processes that bear witness to the Earth’s billions of years of formation and transformation. This heritage carries significant value not only from the perspective of the natural sciences but also within the contexts of history, culture, and architecture. The aim of this study is to examine visitor centers located within geological heritage sites and to reveal, through a qualitative research approach, the significance and value of “place-specific” design in architecture. In doing so, the study seeks to open a discussion on the importance of considering site characteristics and natural formations as guiding priorities in the architectural design process. In this context, the Zonguldak Caves Visitor Center designed in Zonguldak, one of the prominent cities in Türkiye in terms of cave geology, has been taken as a case study. This building stands out as a noteworthy practice with regard to the spatial representation of geological heritage, its integration with topography, and the use of local materials. Within the scope of the study, the Zonguldak Caves Visitor Center is examined in comparison with the Đalovića Pećina Visitor Center (Montenegro) and the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center (USA), both situated in similar contexts, as well as the Thingvellir National Park Visitor Center (Iceland), located in a distinct geological setting. Through this comparison, the study analyzes how architectural design interacts with “place” in terms of geological context, material use, integration with topography, and the spatial experiences it offers.