Architecture competition "Pape Bird Observation Tower" Student Award - İstanbul Bilgi University

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the winners of the Student award of our “Pape Bird Observation Tower” competition - Alicem Öztürk and Konuralp Senol from Turkey!

Alicem Öztürk and Konuralp Senol from Turkey

We (Konuralp Şenol&Alicem Öztürk) are currently studying architecture in İstanbul Bilgi University. We are both in our 3rd year within the undergraduate program.

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 company/ individuals have been involved?

As a school we are encouraged to think within various scales. In our first year as a team, we worked on designing a parametric pavilion. We worked on the pavilion’s interactions both with the material and the larger scaled environment. Within the same year we also worked on DIY lamps which were manufactured by current fabrication techniques such as laser-cutting and vacuum-forming, but this time on a smaller product scale. After having an understanding on the base principles of design, we worked on a larger architectural scale on our following year. This time we had a client who wanted to renovate and expand his hotel rooms. Designing a hotel room and a spa center was also an interesting experience for us. In the following academic semester we worked on a project in which the project site has a historical and cultural aspect. The project site was is Pergamon İzmir, Turkey-which is a Unesco heritage site. We designed a theological research center which was approximately 2,000 square meters. Currently we are working on an urban scale. We are in the process of designing one of the stations of a major transportation platform in İstanbul.

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

As a team we think that contemporary materials and building technologies are capable of blending in with historic, urban and natural context. We think that the architect’s role in society is both technical and intellectual due to the scale in which an architect has the conditions to create something, a good provision of the future is essential.

Why do you participate in architecture vision competitions?

In order to gain experience as students. Also we like to have an area where we can express our interest in parametric design techniques.

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

Keep in mind that it’s not that important to win something. Participation and the experience you gain from the design process itself is rewarding enough.