project name

Kagıthane Hish school

SITE

Cappadocia, Turkey

project type

Cultural / Educational

status

Completed

client

Emre Yilmaz

area

5000 sq ft

year

2021

A Sanctuary for the Lost and a Warning for the Future

The Extinction Museum is a bold architectural response to one of the most pressing issues of our time: the rapid loss of species and ecosystems. Designed to be a living archive of extinction, the museum is situated in the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia—a region historically shaped by both natural forces and human intervention. By blending into its surroundings while confronting visitors with hard truths, the museum serves both as a place of remembrance and a call to action.

Merging With the Memory of the Earth

Cappadocia’s soft volcanic rock formations and ancient cave dwellings create a poetic dialogue between natural erosion and human adaptability. The Extinction Museum is carved into these rock formations, continuing the tradition of subterranean architecture in the region. Its spatial language respects the geological rhythms, using organic forms and earthy materials to merge the structure seamlessly with its setting.

Large portions of the museum exist underground, minimizing visual disruption and thermal dependency, while strategically placed skylights and observation points allow natural light and views to punctuate the experience.

Silence, Shadow, and Submersion

The design of the museum evokes a feeling of solemnity and contemplation. Corridors are narrow, winding, and subdued in lighting—mimicking burrows, nests, and tombs—while main galleries expand into larger voids that hold immersive exhibits. The architectural forms are inspired by fossils, skeletal remains, and decaying organisms—expressing extinction not as an abstraction but as something physical and deeply felt.

Materials include rammed earth, basalt stone, weathered steel, and reclaimed timber—chosen for their symbolism, tactility, and longevity. These materials age gracefully, allowing the building to weather and shift over time, like the memory of the extinct it enshrines.

Merging With the Memory of the Earth

Cappadocia’s soft volcanic rock formations and ancient cave dwellings create a poetic dialogue between natural erosion and human adaptability. The Extinction Museum is carved into these rock formations, continuing the tradition of subterranean architecture in the region. Its spatial language respects the geological rhythms, using organic forms and earthy materials to merge the structure seamlessly with its setting.

Large portions of the museum exist underground, minimizing visual disruption and thermal dependency, while strategically placed skylights and observation points allow natural light and views to punctuate the experience.

Architecture in Service of the Planet

From construction to operation, the Extinction Museum is committed to environmental responsibility. Key sustainable features include:

  • Passive Cooling: Subterranean construction provides insulation and reduces energy needs.
  • Water Harvesting & Greywater Systems: Integrates rainwater harvesting and water recycling.
  • Local Materials & Labor: Sourced materials and skilled workers from the region support the local economy and reduce carbon footprint.
  • Off-Grid Capabilities: The building is partially powered by on-site solar and geothermal systems.

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