Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge competition Student Prize winner - Gazi University

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the Student prize winner of our "Denver Single-Stair Housing Challenge" competition – Beyzanur Koç from Turkey!

Beyzanur Koç

Please tell us about your company (when it was founded, where it is based, how many employees, etc) Alternatively, if you do not have a company, please give us some insights on your own professional/academia background.

I am Beyzanur Koç (Istanbul, 2001), a senior architecture student at Gazi University in Ankara. To me, architecture is not just a profession but a multi-layered practice of thinking, open to constant exploration. Designing within different contexts, scales, and scenarios allows me to uncover the limitless possibilities that architecture offers. Immersing myself in diverse worlds while shaping living spaces makes the design process both exciting and enriching. Collaboration with different disciplines is one of the most important factors in expanding the boundaries of design. Integrating new technologies with architecture, exploring alternative production methods, and developing solutions within changing parameters propel me forward both intellectually and practically. Architecture is not a fixed state but a field that demands continuous transformation. Therefore, I strive to keep my mind open and dynamic, always seeking to improve myself through diverse perspectives.

Brief information about the projects that you/your company have been involved with. For instance, what scale have you focused on/preferred, any significant projects where the company/ individuals have been Involved?

I have participated in projects of different scales, both individually and as part of a team. What is important to me is to have a deep understanding of every stage of the design and to construct the spatial experience in the best way. With this understanding, I believe that every project can be successful and a building that can be called an architectural piece can be created.

What does architecture mean to you and what is the role of an architect in your society?

It is obvious that the concept of architecture has gained different meanings by constantly evolving from past to present. Architecture is the very process of this evolution. It is the ability to respond to changing conditions, to evaluate each problem in its own special way and to remain innovative and original in this whole process. Only buildings constructed with this understanding can respond to environmental needs, nourish, develop and guide humanity and establish a context with their surroundings. When I design a project, I always imagine myself living in that project. I look at how much it responds to user needs and shape the project according to the life I imagine there. Because the projects built with all these processes are built for their users, and it is inevitable to look at the building from their perspective and to put the building through the user's filter.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

I believe that people grow and develop through challenges. For me, competitions provide the ideal environment to test my skills, reflect on them, and improve myself. These environments can feature diverse cultures, problems, and rules, which is the greatest richness of architecture competitions. Each project has its own dynamics, and the competition always encourages you to take one step further. At the end of the competition, beyond winning a prize or feeling a sense of satisfaction, the most important aspect is the personal growth and insights you gain along the way.

What advice would you give to individuals who struggle to decide whether it would be beneficial for them to participate in architecture competitions?

I strongly recommend participating. Competitions are one of the most liberating and instructive ways to develop design thinking. The balance between freedom and constraints presents a challenge that nurtures creativity. They also help us discover our place in the world as architects by providing the opportunity to experience different cultures and design approaches. Regardless of the outcome, they are valuable experiences that should not be missed.