Architecture Competition Painters' Lake House 3rd prize winner – Kaan Oncuoglu, Ekin Guzer, Orcun Cinar and Sevin Erkenek

We’d like to take the opportunity to introduce you to the 3rd prize winner of our "Painters' Lake House" competition – Kaan Oncuoglu, Ekin Guzer, Orcun Cinar and Sevin Erkenek from Turkey!

3rd prize winners from Turkey

We are a group of young freelance architects, who got graduated with four entirely different educational backgrounds which is a result of our common interest in the pursuit of experiencing and learning more about foreign geographies and their backgrounds. As a result, we gained a thorough understanding of the cultures of the east and west and were able to identify the points at where they diverge and converge. From Pratt Institute and Roger Williams University all the way to Middle East Technical University and Bilkent University, our team carries grains of different architectural approaches and applications from all over.

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?

Since this is our first project as a team, we do not have any prior projects or works to draw on; yet, as individuals, our histories and interests are extremely similar. All of us have extensive knowledge of the concept and methodologies regarding sustainable architecture.

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

The meaning and definition of architecture and architect, in our opinion, are relative ideas. Both terminologies must constantly be adjusted to the context in which they are used. In our case, the architect is the individual who ensures that everyone has their desired and unique experience by utilizing architectural principles.

Why do you participate in architecture competitions?

Collaboration elevates design quality by fostering a broad range of perspectives and creative problem-solving by integrating the design approach of various architects. Competitions produce demanding programmes that call for these original and comprehensive concepts. By participating in architecture competitions, we hope to promote improved design quality through collaborative design.

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

Participating in an architecture competition is ultimately a personal choice. It is crucial to think about your personal priorities and goals. Although you might not always succeed, it is a practical technique to assess your sectoral worth and feel content with your work.