MİMARLIK AGENDA

The Local Election and Future… / Eyüp Muhcu

The result of local election, which has turned into a referendum with crowded participation, was in majority won by the ruling government despite the Metropolitan Law, the use of every governmental potential, lawlessness, election strategies and disorganisation of the opposing party and the loss of over 2.5 million votes across the country. The author states that the results were reflected in world press ironically as the “loss of democracy supporters!” He also evaluates “unfair and unjust” local elections as triggering forces of “dictatorship”, stating the times as the dark periods of the country and society. In his view in hard times like these, what is needed is the reunion of architects, inspired from the “Occupy Gezi” spirit where architecture is the major subject.

AWARD

Shigeru Ban, the Winner of the 2014 Pritzker Prize

The winner of 2014 Pritzker Prize Shigeru Ban, stands out with human-oriented designs that prove achieving excellence in design does not always require high budget. The ceremony of Pritzker Prize, which is considered as one of the most prestigious international architecture awards given every year to an architect for his/her significant achievement will be held on 13th June 2014, in Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

EVENT

Notes on the Symposium RATIONALISM OF BAYSAL-BİRSEL: Architectural Practice in the Second Half of the 20th Century / Derin İnan

In the scope of the Commemoration Programme 2012-14 the Chamber of Architects has chosen to commemorate the architects, Haluk Baysal and Melih Birsel. Research on the life of architects was conducted under the theme of the programme, “Rationalism of Baysal-Birsel: Architectural Practice in the Second Half of the 20th Century”. The symposium organised in the scope of the programme was held in the Chamber of Architects İstanbul Metropolitan Branch building, on 7th March 2014. The author summarizes the presentations and the discussions that took place in the one-day symposium. The programme of the symposium hosted presentations that focus on the architectural practice of Baysal – Birsel and the atmosphere of the period. The speakers include; İlhan Tekeli, Doğan Hasol, Ersen Gürsel, Doğan Tekeli, Ela Kaçel, Zafer Akay, Funda Uz, İrem Küreğibüyük, Elvan Altan Ergut, Yeşim Aktuğlu, Uğur Tanyeli and Ali Cengizkan.

READERS’ CORNER

How we have Become Aware of Tafuri? / Güven Birkan

The author writes his afterthoughts about Sabiha Göloğlu’s “Postmodern Theory and Practice in Architecture” article, published in the 376th issue of Mimarlık magazine. He unfolds the coincidences that have affected the editorial policy of the magazine and the key events considered as turning points within the process.

 

AGENDA

The Reasons behind the Transformation Process of AOÇ / Selin Çavdar

Atatürk Orman Çiftliği (Atatürk Forestry Farm), one of the largest green and outdoor spaces of metropolitan Ankara, was under protection by a special law for many years. However following the legal amendment in 2006, the physical and administrative integrity of the place has started to dissolve gradually. The author states that with Ankapark and similar annuity projects, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality attacks our freedom to spend time in large urban outdoor spaces, thus causing infringement of citizen rights.

A History-Memory Loss: Vahideddin Grove and Mansions / Afife Batur

The author, in her article that focuses on the ongoing construction process of Vahideddin Palace in İstanbul, portrays the historical values of the settlement, which includes Vahideddin Palace. She also draws attention to the problems revealed resulting from the inattentive conservation work.

An Act of Mobilisation: Ministry of Education (MEB), Education Campuses Pre-Elective Competitions / Devrim Çimen

In “normal” conditions there are about 10 to 20 architectural competitions opened in Turkey in course of a single year. The author evaluates the process started on November 20, 2012 with the announcement of the Ministry of Education (MEB) to achieve the plans of 33 education campuses across the country with pre-elective architectural competitions and which implied the involvement of nearly 1000 architects in Turkey.

FROM RURAL / CITY

Rock-Hewn Life: Taşkale / Emine Çiğdem Asrav

Lying behind the curvy roads in the hills of Toros Mountains, Taşkale village attracts attention with its natural formations. The caves carved inside the rocky masses that surround the northern part of the village were once the homes of the villagers, are now being used as granaries. The chapel, which is believed to be built in the Byzantine period, has become a mosque and is often being used by the villagers as a worship place. The village also draws attention with its multicultural nature, where you can still witness the old traditions and customs of Kızıllar tribe that came to the village after escaping from the Mongol invasion.

FILE: 2014 NATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AWARDS

Organised by the Chamber of Architects (CAT) in every two years, the 14th cycle of the National Architecture Exhibition and Awards programme took place in Ankara in April 2042. The Selection Committee for the Awards programme of 2014 consisted of Haydar Karabey (chairman), Nur Akın, Ferhat Hacıalibeyoğlu, Ahmet Özgüner and Semra Teber Yener. The awarded architects for “Grand Award” (Sinan Prize), “Achievement Award in Contribution to Architecture” and “Commemoration Programme” and the award winning projects in the categories of Building and Project were announced with a ceremony accompanied by the opening of the exhibition that took place in METU Culture and Convention Centre, Ankara, on April 11, 2014. In its 14th cycle the Exhibition achieved a high level of participation and the Selection Committee of this year evaluated 209 projects presented in 285 presentation boards. Among the 31 nominated projects the Selection committee awarded 8 projects in the scope of the programme. The programme rewarded Ersen Gürsel to “Grand Award” (Sinan Prize), İlhan Tekeli and Besim Çeçener to “Achievement Award in Contribution to Architecture” and Ernst A. Egli to “Commemoration Programme”. The awarded buildings are announced as; Sancaklar Mosque by Emre Arolat, NEF Primary School by Can Çinici, NoXX Apartment by Cem Sorguç, ITU Central Education Building by Hasan Şener, Ahsen Özsoy in “Building Category” and Restoration of TCDD Barracks by Şerife Türk Derin in “Preservation- Revitalisation Building Category”. As for “Projects Category” the rewarded projects are listed as Abdullah Gül University Mimar Sinan Campus by Alişan Çırakoğlu, Ilgın Avcı and Konya Social Centre by Mehmet Kütükçüoğlu, Ertuğ Uçar. Ahmet Korfalı’s project Totem was awarded for “Presentation of Ideas Category”. The file includes the Selection Committee Report and reviews from Selection Committee members Haydar Karabey, Nur Akın and Ferhat Hacıalibeyoğlu.

PRESERVATION REVITALISATION

An Example of the 19th Century Industrial Heritage and Its Reuse: The Transformation of Samsun Tekel Tobacco Factory to Bulvar Samsun / Fatih Us

Due to the spatial requirements came along with the changing technologies, the industrial heritages of a period in our country have started to be mostly transformed into cultural structures after 1990’s. A recent example in this field is Samsun Tekel Tobacco Factory, which defines a significant urban space with its scale and location within the city centre.

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

Mimar Sinan in-between Reality and Myth: A Re-reading Experiment on Sinan / Ömer İskender Tuluk

Having developed in the shadow of a popular “extraordinary” Sinan apprehension, Mimar Sinan historiography, besides its substantial literature accumulation, is still filled with many dark areas. Besides the perception of Mimar Sinan, which is too complex to be distinguished either as academic or popular, the author reinterprets the stories related to the topic in the context of Sinan, contributing to the understanding of Ottoman thinking of the period.

ARCHITECTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PERIOD

Reinforced Concrete, Getting Anonymous: The Construction of the Built Environment after 2nd World War in Turkey / İlke Tekin, İpek Akpınar

Reinforced concrete, which was put at the centre of the building technology of an unsteady process of modernisation in Turkey, has started to be used extensively before reaching a sufficient and necessary level of consciousness, as a result of the society’s desire for “modernisation”. The authors state that reinforced concrete has drenched inside the society, institutionalised and widespread through the complex network of relations of architectural and political fields, in our country.

CONTACT

A Collective Meeting with the Soil: Turunç Mud-brick Preschool Project / Süreyya Topaloğlu

In an age where rapidly increasing residence, shopping mall type of buildings all across the big cities, drowning us knee-deep in concrete, we increasingly move away from soil as a material. The mud-brick building constructed by the participation of volunteers for the new building, which was required by Turunç Saadet Zeki Ünsal Primary School in Marmaris, reveals a significant example, where the people get in direct contact with a building material.