This International Architecture Competition was called in order to select the design of an Istanbul Disaster Prevention and Education Center, which is to be fully equipped with adequate technology and facilities in order to be prepared against a disaster that may affect Istanbul. The design of the building is intended to develop public consciousness about the disasters and specifically about earthquakes. The center hosts relevant courses, congresses and seminars, and is equipped with visual and audio educational appliances and simulation systems. It is shaped in a way to allow experiencing earthquake, hurricane, fire fighting, smoke, liquefaction, tsunami, first aid and emergency communications. It also offers information to the visitors through a planetarium, library, seminar/meeting halls and information boards.

The site is located in a newly developing area in the Bakırköy district on the European Side of Istanbul and is close to Atatürk International Airport. The Project site is a vacant plot, being used as a car park and covering approximately 27,000 meters square. The site is surrounded by Ayamama Creek, CNR Expo Center, WoW Istanbul Hotel and Airport Shopping Mall. With metro stations located nearby as well as the highway and metro bus lines, the site offers easy access for both the pedestrian and vehicle traffic.