vakko headquarters and power media center, turkey by rex architects
image courtesy REX architects

in december 2006 REX architects design for the annenberg center for information science
and technology was cancelled. two months later, the CEO of vakko and power media
approached REX with plans to design and construct a new headquarters by the year’s
end using an existing, unfinished hotel.

vakko/power’s interior is detached so as not to disrupt the structural integrity
and waterproofing of the in situ skeleton. dubbed the 'showcase' this interior
houses the showrooms, meeting spaces, auditorium, and gallery.

the upper floor of the skeleton’s subterranean parking houses power media’s
television and radio studios, which require acoustic damping and light control.


vakko headquarters and power media center interior
image courtesy REX architects

the slopes of the auditorium, museum, and meeting rooms create a circulation
path that winds from top to bottom of the showcase.


structure of unfinished hotel
image courtesy REX architects


plan for vakko headquarters and power media center
image courtesy REX architects


rendering of 'showcase' vakko headquarters and power media center
image courtesy REX architects

REX and its engineers devised steel boxes that could be assembled in myriad
configurations while retaining the showcase’s structural self-sufficiency.


vakko headquarters and power media center model prototypes
image courtesy REX architects


vakko headquarters and power media center model prototypes
image courtesy REX architects


vakko headquarters and power media center plan
image courtesy REX architects



vakko headquarters and power media center plan
image courtesy REX architects

vakko headquarters and power media center structure
image courtesy REX architects


vakko headquarters and power media center interior
image courtesy REX architects

the showcase is clad in mirror-glass, that both repeats and fractures
the image of the occupant.


vakko headquarters and power media center glass facade
image courtesy REX architects

by slumping a structural 'X' into each pane, the glass’s strength is increased,
its need for perimeter mullions is eliminated, and its thickness is reduced.


 how the glass facade of vakko headquarters and power media center is constructed
image courtesy REX architects


 how the glass facade of vakko headquarters and power media center is constructed
image courtesy REX architects


 how the glass facade of vakko headquarters and power media center is constructed
image courtesy REX architects


 glass facade panel of vakko headquarters and power media center complete
image courtesy REX architects