A Critical Evaluation of a Cultural Center Built through Competition: The Muratpaşa Municipality Multipurpose Performance Center

Architectural competitions play a crucial role in shaping public buildings by fostering innovative designs and ensuring fair selection processes. This study critically examines the Muratpaşa Municipality Multipurpose Performance Center, a public building realized through a national architectural competition in Antalya, Türkiye. The research aims to evaluate the center’s architectural and urban contributions, spatial organization, and cultural significance within its urban context. As a qualitative research, the study employs Hugh Pearman’s architectural criticism methodology, which includes descriptive, analytical, and judgmental criticism, to systematically assess the project’s architectural attributes. By analyzing the center’s design approach, spatial relationships, and urban integration, this study provides insights into how architectural competitions influence the realization of public buildings. The findings offer a critical evaluation of a cultural building realized through an architectural competition and, in this context, contribute to the critical discourse of architecture by highlighting key considerations that may inform future architectural competitions and public architecture practices.