In order to prevent disruption to education following one of the most devastating earthquakes in Turkey’s history, the 12 School Buildings Project implemented in the Adapazarı earthquake zone stands out as a strategic public initiative that reflects DORÇE’s rapid post-disaster response ability, engineering capability, and expertise in educational buildings. The project was carried out for the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Turkey under the Design & Build model.

The school campuses, with a total building area of 20,300 m², were designed to serve 15,000 students and were completed within only a few months between May and September 2000, contributing rapidly to the restoration of educational infrastructure. The project became a strong example of how speed, safety, and quality criteria can be delivered simultaneously under post-disaster conditions.

Rapid Mobilization and Continuous Implementation for Post-Disaster Education

Delayed construction of educational facilities in earthquake-affected regions is a critical factor that directly impacts social recovery. In this context, DORÇE rapidly mobilized to the Adapazarı region, running design, engineering, and production processes in parallel to deliver the school buildings ready for immediate use in a very short time. This approach allowed students to resume their education quickly in safe environments.

Earthquake-Resistant School Buildings with Light Gauge Steel (LGSF) Technology

The Light Gauge Steel Frame (LGSF) Building Technology selected for the project stands out as one of the most reliable structural systems in post-earthquake reconstruction programs. Thanks to its low structural weight and high flexibility, LGSF systems deliver superior performance against seismic movements, making them an ideal solution for school buildings where life safety is the top priority.

With this technology, the school buildings were constructed not as temporary shelters, but as durable, long-life, and permanent educational facilities.

Education Campuses Designed for 15,000 Students

The 12 school buildings constructed within the scope of the project were functionally planned to meet the educational needs of students of different age groups. Classrooms, common areas, and support units were designed with a safe, ergonomic, and high-capacity layout suitable for heavy student circulation. As a result, education activities in the earthquake-affected region were rapidly normalized, contributing significantly to the revival of social life.

Integrated Public Project Management with the Design & Build Model

Within the scope of the project, DORÇE managed the design, engineering, and superstructure construction processes under a single roof using the Design & Build model. This integrated approach provided critical advantages for public projects, including strict time control, quality standardization, and high-level coordination. Fast decision-making and execution capability under disaster conditions played a decisive role in the success of the project.

DORÇE’s Experience in Disaster-Resilient Educational Buildings

The Adapazarı Earthquake Zone School Project represents a strong reference that reflects DORÇE’s extensive experience in post-disaster educational facilities, public infrastructure projects, and construction in highly seismic risk regions. The project successfully combines rapid delivery, high safety, sustainability, and long-term usability into a comprehensive educational infrastructure model.

Through this project, DORÇE once again demonstrated its leadership in developing reliable and permanent building solutions that ensure the continuity of education during post-disaster rebuilding processes