2024 - THE LIGHT OF LIFE

Turkey is a country located in an earthquake zone. While the wounds of the Kahramanmaras-centered earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, have not healed, the anticipated “Great Istanbul Earthquake” is one of the most important topics on the country’s agenda. It is predicted that more than 15 million people will be affected by this earthquake. The chaos that will ensue after the expected severe earthquake in Turkey’s most populated city will be of great magnitude. Many studies are being carried out within the scope of possible scenarios, such as strengthening buildings, determining assembly areas, and preparing action plans for how emergency aid will be provided. However, assembly areas are insufficient, and mechanisms based on passive energy systems that will ensure the effective use of these areas and direct people to them after the earthquake have not been established. This project aims to reduce the chaos that will occur immediately after a possible disaster. The aim is to transform gathering areas into living spaces, to be a light shining through the rubble for those who survived—the light of life. A park designated as a gathering area in the Fatih district of Istanbul, where major damage is expected, was chosen as the project area. Local and international research conducted to date shows us that during an earthquake, people exhibit emotional and behavioral reactions such as panic, escape, desire for protection, fear, and anxiety. The collapse of the infrastructure of residential areas during an earthquake, power cuts, mobile networks being unusable due to congestion, and the weakening of their perceptions due to shock cause people to not know where to go and what to do, thus feeling the ‘need for guidance’ even if they have received earthquake training. Due to these psychological and physical factors, there is difficulty in finding safe gathering areas, especially during earthquakes at night. In Turkey, there is not yet a system that directs people to gathering areas after an earthquake and is activated by the earthquake’s effect. In the project, a top cover, which is part of the system that will direct people to gathering areas, was designed. This cover design is flexible and can be applied in all gathering areas. Powerful LED lights positioned on the designed upper cover are connected to the earthquake detection sensor. During an earthquake, these sensors are triggered, and the LED light turns on. With the help of a lens placed at a certain distance from the LED light, the light is focused at a point, creating a light beam in the sky. Thus, gathering areas can be easily seen from afar and serve as a guide for people during an earthquake. The top cover consists of triangular modules. Some of these modules have movable photovoltaic (PV) panels designed to provide maximum efficiency from the sun. In others, a membrane fabric type with an opening and closing mechanism is preferred. The mechanism in the center of the triangle rises, gathering the membrane from the corners to the center, leaving the triangular area empty. When needed, the mechanism is activated, the center is lowered, and the membrane is stretched. In this way, in the event of an earthquake, the upper cover will be completely closed, creating a sheltered area. A light steel alloy will be preferred for the supporting legs of the upper cover. Thus, the upper cover will not be affected by the earthquake and will remain standing. Phone charging stations and sockets are located in various parts of the meeting area, meeting people’s electricity needs after the earthquake. All of the energy needs of the LED light, light triggering mechanism, opening and closing mechanisms, sockets, and phone charging stations will be provided by photovoltaic (PV) panels, storing the electricity provided by the PV panels in batteries positioned underground. Earthquakes strike without warning and cause significant destruction. However, we can take precautions and be prepared against them. That’s why we prioritized the flexibility of the cover we designed and its applicability in all gathering areas. This cover design aims to meet people’s gathering, communication, energy, and protection needs after an earthquake. This cover design will not only be a gathering area but also a ‘Light of Life’ where people can take shelter safely in the chaos and uncertainty created by the earthquake.