Université Nationale d'Architecture et de Construction D'Arménie

Public Lecture by academics from MEF and Kadir Has Universities from Turkey

January 22, 2019, at NUACA

15.00-17.00

15.00-15.30 “Design Build Studio at MEF University and MEF & NUACA Cooperation in this Scope” by Asst. Prof. Dr. Ozan Avcı, MEF University, Faculty of Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture

15.30-16.00 “Sinan: Perspectives to understand an architect and his legacy” by Asst. Prof. Ahmet Sezgin, MEF University, Faculty of Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture

16.00-17.00 “Contemporary Art and Urban Space in Turkey” by Assoc. Prof. Ayşe Erek, Kadir Has University, Faculty of Arts and Design

Design Build Studio at MEF University and MEF & NUACA Cooperation in this Scope

The core of architectural education at MEF University Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture (FADA) is the design studio with its all meanings: First, architectural design studio is the main actor of the curriculum. Second, the physical studio where MEF University has its architectural design studios, is a very important collective gathering place that is called Hangar. Finally, within the scope of MEF’s Design Build Studio (DBS), first year students and professors design and build together for social benefits. Since 2015, 19 DBS projects in 6 different cities in Turkey in collaboration with local municipalities, NGOs, public schools, construction firms and foundations have been completed. This presentation will give a general information about DBS process and will provide details on the cooperation between MEF and NUACA made in this scope in order to express a deeper understanding of all dynamics of it. MEF University considers FADA’s DBS program as a small contribution to humanity but as a huge step towards the design education of the future.

Sinan: Perspectives to understand an architect and his legacy

Sinan (d.1588) was the most renowned architect of the Ottoman Empire. As the head of the royal corps of architects of the Empire between 1538 and 1588, he has left an impressive architectural legacy of over four hundred buildings. This lecture will offer an introduction to his persona, his architecture, and scope of the architectural history about his works. Following a brief overview of his life, it will give insight to the main characteristics of his work and locate them in their historical context. Covering the scope and diversity of academic research about him as well as his selected works, the lecture will conclude with addressing the issue of understanding and preservation of his legacy in contemporary times.

Contemporary Art and Urban Space in Turkey

This presentation will explore how urban space informs the collective imaginary, through a selection of contemporary artworks produced in regard to the city of Istanbul. The urban space is not just an intersection of the public and the private space, but also a space for individual and collective experience and a product of cultural and political transformation. It is as well a living object that provides a hospitable space for the critical and imaginative thinking/practices. Urban

imaginaries are thus part of any city’s reality, rather than being only figments of the imagination. This presentation will give an overview of the contemporary creative practices and the contemporary cityscape that emerges from the contemporary cultural production in Istanbul.

The public lecture is organised as part of the Turkey-Armenia Dialogue Programme series implemented by Hrant Dink Foundation in partnership with Gyumri Youth Initiative Centre with the support of the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. British Embass