Museum of Emotions / Edition #7 competition 3rd Prize winners - Ceyda Ilhan and Beyza Ilhan

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd Prize winners of our Museum of Emotions / Edition #7 competition – Ceyda Ilhan and Beyza Ilhan from Turkey!

Ceyda Ilhan and Beyza Ilhan

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.

We are sisters who love and internalize design and architecture, making them the focal point of our lives. Our greatest passion is to create together and constantly learn new things.

Ceyda İlhan - After graduating with first-class honours from the Faculty of Architecture at Bursa Uludag University in Türkiye, I completed my master's degree with a thesis titled "Architectural Pattern Readings By Digital Analysis Methods: Bursa Hisar Region," where I researched urban morphology inter-scale. My academic research, which examines the relationships between human behavior and the physical environment from residential scale to public space, regional scale to urban scale, has been published in national and international journals. While working part-time lecturer at the university for a while, I continued my architectural works as a freelancer. Currently, I am involved in interior design and production, and I participate in competitions.

Beyza İlhan - I am in my final year of a double major program in Interior Architecture and Architecture at MEF University Faculty of Arts Design and Architecture in Istanbul, Türkiye, and I am about to complete my studies. During these three and a half years since I entered the world of design, I have won numerous awards in national architecture student competitions and national interior design student competitions with the projects I completed at school. I also had the opportunity to participate in small-scale architectural production stages within the scope of the Design and Build Studio and I2P - Idea to Product programs. Currently, I am doing internships in offices and participating in competitions alongside my studies.

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?

We believe that design is a holistic process. We have been involved in various research and project productions, ranging from interior to urban scales. While this can be very challenging at times, it allows us to look at design from a broad perspective. Currently, we are working on smaller-scale projects with a higher level of technical detail.

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

Architecture is not just about building something; it's about creating an experience, an atmosphere, a way of life. The architect considers all factors, finding a way to connect time, space, and the user. They are an invisible hero in every person's life. With a small touch, they can create a new flow of life. They accept all these responsibilities and their role as a lifelong, hidden observer, and are nourished by this power. They understand the value of not building as much as building, and that less is more.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Besides enjoying creating together, designing without boundaries inspires us. Seeing the diverse perspectives of talented architects worldwide on the same subject is invaluable and enriching. We gain a better understanding of the critical nature of architecture and its openness to interpretation. We also feel that the competition process and managing its psychological challenges contribute to our professional development.

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

Regardless of the outcome, we believe the process itself is a gain. Brainstorming in different geographies, under different conditions, and at different scales pushes you to step outside your comfort zone, which is a very valuable practice for a designer.