“Public Studio” Spatial Design Proposal for Users of Survey and Project Department in Municipal Buildings

The architectural program, which is shaped according to the organizational structure in municipal buildings, results in the creation of distinct and constrained zones, thus acting as a limiting factor for interdepartmental permeability. In these buildings, the spatial arrangement of the work environments of the functional departments responsible for project and design activities is also influenced by the bureaucratic and centralized approaches inherent to the organizational structure. The Survey and Project Departments are the departments that require the most creativity and collaboration due to the project-based working nature of the creative professional groups (such as architects, interior architects, urban planners, landscape architects, civil engineers, etc.) who both provide and receive services. While the Study and Project Departments are referred to as directorates or departments depending on the type of municipality, they stand out in terms of design, project responsibilities, and obligations when compared to other functional departments. This situation significantly increases the level of impact from functional issues arising from the organizational structures of municipalities, due to the requirements in the task definition, such as the need for free thinking, long periods of high concentration, and collaboration with stakeholders. In order to facilitate the smooth operation of the design process, improve working conditions, and foster collaboration, the study focuses on the Survey and Project departments as the primary research subject. Rather than adopting an approach that organizes the units into strictly defined, bounded spaces, there is a pressing need to develop a permeable spatial configuration. This, in turn, underscores the necessity of creating a work environment that promotes information sharing and flexibility. The objective of this study is to propose a research-based spatial framework aimed at enhancing creativity and collaboration for the users of the Survey and Project Departments within municipal buildings. The spatial proposal refers to the spatial principles derived from the research findings, alongside the "public studio" concept developed within the municipality in accordance with these principles. This research aims to explore the organizational structure issues, the disadvantages of the current system, and the advantages of alternative organizational structures within the context of spatial configuration. Interviews were conducted with experts working in the Survey and Project Units to gather their perspectives on unit directorates and shared spaces, which are spatial components of the architectural program for municipal buildings. The primary objective was to understand their views on these issues in relation to the spatial arrangement. In this regard, the research sought to collect users' opinions on the efficiency of the design process and spatial organization within the Survey and Project Departments through semi-structured interviews. Following the data collection process, the notes taken during the interviews were systematically analyzed, with thematic analysis applied to the raw data initially, followed by content analysis. Based on these data, the main theme and the six sub-themes identified through thematic analysis have been discussed. The spatial principles to be used in developing spatial proposals aimed at enhancing creativity and collaboration among the users of the Study and Project Department were examined under six main themes, in parallel with the sub-themes identified through the thematic analysis of the research data. Based on the research findings, the conceptual framework of the proposed "public studio" is systematically delineated by discussing key aspects such as the "identification of suitable spaces within the municipal service building," "functional configuration," "detailing and furniture design," and "lighting, ventilation, and climate control." “Public studio” proposal is shaped by the needs identified through interviews with the users of the Survey and Project Departments, aiming to address the spatial requirements that would enhance the work performance of the Survey and Project Unit users and increase efficiency. The study suggests a physical infrastructure that will facilitate the continuation of intra-group activities and is expected to contribute to strengthening inter-departmental relationships and information sharing among municipal employees and external stakeholders. The public studio, shaped by the key factors required for workshops and design-related activities, could serve as a foundation for various uses tailored to different creative units within the municipal building in the future, based on fundamental principles.