Winners of the 2nd Nurten Aksugür Best Concept Communication Contest organised by Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Interior Architecture Department under the sponsorship of the Aksugür family received their awards at a ceremony organised at EMU Architecture Faculty.

On 10 July 2015, the jury of the 2nd International Nurten Aksugür Best Concept Communication Competition assembled for the evaluation of 62 projects submitted by local and international participants. Following the evaluations, winners of the three awards, three honorable mentions and 3 jury special awards were announced.

Cihat Çaglar from TOBB University received the first prize and Merve S. Yuvarlak from EMU was awarded the second prize. The jury announced Berke Ozkay Özkok of Istanbul Technical University as the winner of the third prize. Projects of Nazim Dağdeviren from Kocaeli University, Ayşe Özgu Birler from EMU and Ş. Büşra Ümütlü from Hacettepe University received honorable mention awards. Mustafa Maraşlı and Fatemeh Monzavi from EMU and Omemah Bugshan from Ve Dar Al-Hekma University also received jury special awards.

The competition has been organised in memory of the late founder of EMU Interior Architecture Department Prof. Dr. Nurten Aksugür, who perished on 23 July 2012. As the chair of EMU Interior Architecture Department between 1997 and 2001, Prof. Dr. Nurten Aksugür provided invaluable services and contributions both to the said department and EMU Architecture Faculty.

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Eastern Mediterranean University, Architecture Faculty, Architecture Department organised a social responsibility project involving children’s parks in collaboration with Famagusta Municipality and Famagusta Development Academy.

In this respect, around 300 students from EMU Architecture Department planted trees, cleaned and painted children’s parks located in various locations of Famagusta among which were Karakol Park, Community Houses Park and Baykal Park. Upon the completion of the project, Mayor of Famagusta İsmail Arter extended his appreciation for the students’ contributions in converting Famagusta to a more liveable city.

Chair of EMU Architecture Department Prof. Dr. Özgür Dinçyürek visited the said parks and stated that they are pleased with the high student interest and involvement in activities as such.

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Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Design and Research Center is currently working on the new central lecture halls building project. Within the framework of the project initiated with the purpose of the design of the said venue as a green/sustainable building and LEED (green construction) certification from the USA, a seminar and a training organisation took place in EMU.

The seminar was delivered by Cemil Yaman, manager of Erke Design and Consultancy Company, which provides consultancy in LEED certification and in the fields of green and sustainable building, products and materials in Turkey. Cemil Yaman has earned the LEED Platinum certificate for the ERKE Green Academy building.

During the seminar, participants received information about green construction and LEED certification process.

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Organised by Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty in collaboration with the Design Club, 5th International Design Week took place with the theme ‘Green Gesture’. Participated by over 500 students and a large group of faculty members, 5th Design Week hosted 18 workshops, 2 film screening activities and short concerts.

During the 5th International Design Week, seminars including world renowned Turkish Cypriot architect Ali Yapıcıoğlu’s “Rammed Earth”, Spanish architect Santiago Cirugeda Parejo’s “From Individual to Collective” and Cyprus International University academic staff member and Fine Arts and Design Faculty Vice Dean, Turkish Cypriot architect Dr. Cemil Atakara’s “Sustainable Awareness” were delivered. Additionally, TOBB University of Economics and Technology Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Program academic staff members and students also took part in the activities.

Through the theme of “Green Gesture”, 5th International Design Week aimed to raise awareness regarding sustainable designs. In this respect, extra materials, plastic bottles, tin cans, paper, newspapers, and carboards were used as main materials during the workshops. Outcomes of the workshops taking place for three days were exhibited in Architecture Faculty’s Colored Building and Faculty yard. 5th International Design Week finished with a certificate ceremony.

5th Design Week which took place under the sponsorship of KTMMOB – Chambers of Architects, Deniz Plaza, Harmony Stationery, Buse Stationery ve Azgan Crafts Wizard provided a productive environment for future as well as current designers.

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Nurten Aksugür Best Concept Communication (BCC) Student Competition

Who is Nurten Aksugür?

Born in Istanbul on May 1st 1943, she finished high school at Istanbul Kiz Lisesi. After finishing her freshman year of Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University, she transferred to ITU Faculty of Architecture and graduated, receiving her MSc in 1968. In 1967 she married her fellow schoolmate, Erdal Aksugür. Following her graduation, she worked at AHE Architectural Office on the working drawing for the Taksim Sheraton Hotel. After being invited by her former professors from ITU Faculty of Architecture who founded the Blacksea Technical Univeristy (KTU), she started to work at KTU in Trabzon. During 1971-72, she received a Government scholarship and went to Paris to study French and complete some of her PhD courses. While continuing her studies in environmental control, she founded the Acoustical Experimentation Unit in KTU and completed her experimental PhD work that she had started in ITU; earning her PhD in Environmental Control in 1977.

During her studies she gave birth to her two children; son Ozgur in 1970 and daughter Deniz in 1978. In October 1980, she resigned from KTU to continue her career in King Faisal University in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She started KFU Women’s Interior Design Department in 1982 as an Associate Professor, and served as Head of Department from 1985 to 1987. After working at KFU for 9 years, she left KFU following the First Gulf War in August 1991, and moved to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to continue at Lefke University. During 1992 – 1994 she served as Head of the Interior Design Department and Academic Vice-Chancellor at LU. She received her Professorship in 1993. After resigning from LU in 1994; together with her husband Erdal Aksugür, she founded the Vision Artists’ Center in Kyrenia. This Art-Gallery/art supplies store with a café, opened 25 individual and mixed exhibitions in 2 ½ years and offered a meeting point for the growing art community in the TRNC.

She later joined the Eastern Mediterranean University, Department of Architecture in 1994 as a professor. She founded the EMU Interior Design Department in 1997, and served as Founding Department Head from 1997 to 2001. After continuing teaching at EMU for eight more years, she retired in April 2009. Together with her husband, she moved to Bodrum, Turkey; which they had fallen in love with in 1964 and later spent all their summer vacations. In 1974 they built their dream summer house in the small nearby village of Asagi Mazi. After living a full life in Bodrum and Asagi Mazi for three years, Nurten Aksugur passed away on July 23rd 2012. She was laid to rest at her self-proclaimed “Paradise on Earth”, the small village of Asagi Mazi; leaving behind her “greatest treasures”, her former students.

Aim of the Contest:

The Nurten Aksugür BCC Student Contest is a competition among interior design students; aiming at promoting creative and critical thinking and motivating and supporting students in considering the importance of design concepts, which they then communicate in individualized and alternative ways. The competition is open to the Departments of Interior Architecture and Departments of Interior Design in universities worldwide.

Who can enter?

All Interior Architecture/Design students from the 5th semester onward.

Requirements:

Any type of work, which is related to students’ half-term projects in Fall and Spring semesters of 2014-2015 academic year  and which is able to express “this is my concept communication”; essay - poster - short film – photography – sketchbook - and any other relevant media is eligible.

Language of the Competition:

English or Turkish.

Deadline and Submission:

The entry deadline is Friday, 3rd of July 2015. The entries should be submitted to the Department of Interior Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, EMU.

Timeline:

The jury will assemble for evaluation on Friday, 10th of July, 2015. The winners will be announced on Wednesday, 15th of July 2015. The winners will be announced through competition web-link.

Jury Members :

Prof. Dr. Erdal Aksugür
Prof. Dr. Müge Bozdyı
Prof. Dr. Uğur Ulaş Dağlı
Assoc.Prof. Dr. Nil Paşaoğulları Şahin
Assist. Prof. Dr. Guita Farivarsadri

Reporters:       Burcu Mürüvet Esentepe
                        Eliz Erdenizci

Competition Representatives:

Each and every Interior Architecture/Design Department of Universities worldwide can choose representatives to help to foster communication with our Departmentregarding the competition process.(The list of these will be announced through our competition web).

Awards:

First Prize: 3000TL

Second Prize: 2000TL

Third Prize: 1000TL

Presentation and Exhibition:

A jury selection from entries will be exhibited both electronically on the web and physically in the Exhibition Hall of the Faculty of Architecture, EMU. The exhibition will be open between 12th  to 16th of October 2015.

The award ceremony will be held on 16th of October 2015 in the Faculty of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University.

For Additional Information:

Department of Interior Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus.

telephone: +90 392 6301139
fax: +90 392 6301127
e-mail: inar@emu.edu.tr

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Eastern Mediterranean University, Architecture Faculty organised a seminar with the participation of UNDP – PFF (United Nations Development Programme - Partnership for the Future) officials. PFF project member Fatma Terlik and PFF program coordinator Tiziana Zennaro delivered speeches in the seminar which was also participated by the cultural heritage committee members. 

The seminar which took place within the framework of EMU Architecture Faculty ARCH 311: Conservation and Restoration Principles Course and with the initiation of Prof. Dr. Kokan Grchev and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Beser Oktay Vehbi  attracted great interest from undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as the academic staff of Architecture Department. During the seminar, Zennaro talked about their mission and stated that the European Commission has been supporting the cultural heritage in Cyprus since 2009. Zennaro also talked about small, medium and large scale  projects they have carried out throughout Cyprus. Giving information about completed, ongoing and prospective projects, Zennaro also talked about the importance and sensitivity of their projects.

Following Zennaro, Fatma Terlik provided information about Famagusta Othello Castle and Apostolos Andreas Monastery projects which will be completed next month. Terlik added that during the restoration work, they received financial support from the EU, Evkaf Foundation and Cypriot Churches.

Having undertaken numerous projects both in the Northern and Southern parts of Cyprus, the project team also talked about prospective projects. At the end of the seminar, EMU Architecture Department Chair Prof. Dr. Özgür Dinçyürek presented certificates to the participants and announced the opening of “Cultural Heritage Postgraduate Program” during the upcoming semester.

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Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Architecture Department celebrated the department’s increasing quality in education, the increase in international student numbers and the success brought by these dynamics with an exciting and colorful organisation.

During the organisation which took place with the participation of students and faculty members at Buğday Mosque located in the Old City in Famagusta, students who demonstated outstanding success during the 2014-2015 Academic Year Fall Semester were awarded certificates. Among notable names who attended the event were Mayor of Famagusta and President of the Board of Trustees İsmail Arter and Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Hıfsiye Pulhan.

The event which commenced with Architecture Department sophomore year student Mehmet Mete Gözübüyük’s ney performance continued with Architecture Department chair Prof. Dr. Özgür Dinçyürek’s, Architecture Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Şebnem Önal Hoşkara’s, Vice Rector for Student Affairs Prof. Dr. Hıfsiye Pulhan’s and President of EMU Board of Trustees İsmail Arter’s speeches. In his address, Arter thanked EMU in converting the Old City a more active place through organisations as such.

Following the speeches, certificates of honor and high honor were awarded to successful students. The event finished with EMU Architecture Department junior year student Can Ömür’s live music performance.

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The 9th [IX.] EMU Sand Sculpture Festival by Interior Architecture Department and EMU Design Club
Organised annually by Eastern Mediterranean University, Interior Architecture Department and EMU Design Club, IX EMU Sand Sculpture Festival and Competition is taking place between [click pic to read more]

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As a member of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) since 2007, Eastern Mediterranean University Interior Architecture Department celebrated World Interiors Day under the theme “Design for All”.

EMU Interior Architecture Department IFI Institutional Representative Assoc. Prof. Dr. Banu Tevfikler Çavuşoğlu stated that World Interiors Day was marked through a series of activities the first of which was EMU Interior Architecture Department successful graduate Ruzin Kılıç Demirel’s seminar entitled “Interior Architecture in Mega Yachts”. During the seminar, Kılıç talked about new visions in yacht design. After the seminar, a certificate awarding ceremony for honor/high honor students of the department took place.

Within the framework of the World Interiors Day,  badges representing the importance of the day as well as the theme set by IFI were distributed to academic staff members by students on 27, 28 and 29 May 2015.

Credit: EMU

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As a member of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) since 2007, Eastern Mediterranean University Interior Architecture Department celebrated World Interiors Day under the theme “Design for All” on 30 May 2015.

EMU Interior Architecture Department IFI Institutional Representative Assoc. Prof. Dr. Banu Tevfikler Çavuşoğlu stated that World Interiors Day was marked through a series of activities the first of which was EMU Interior Architecture Department successful graduate Ruzin Kılıç Demirel’s seminar entitled “Interior Architecture in Mega Yachts”. During the seminar, Kılıç talked about new visions in yacht design. After the seminar, a certificate awarding ceremony for honor/high honor students of the department took place.

Within the framework of the World Interiors Day,  badges representing the importance of the day as well as the theme set by IFI were distributed to academic staff members by students on 27, 28 and 29 May 2015.

Credit: EMU

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Organised by Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty in collaboration with the Design Club, 5th International Design Week is taking place with a specific theme of awareness as well as colorful activities between 20 and 22 May 2015.

Taking place under the “Green Gesture” theme, EMU Design Week will be hosting world renowned Turkish Cypriot Architect Ali Yapıcıoğlu and Spanish architect Santiago Cirugeda Parejo. Cyprus International University academic staff member and Fine Arts and Design Faculty Vice Dean, Turkish Cypriot architect Dr. Cemil Atakara will also be participating in the activities taking place throughout the week. TOBB University of Economics and Technology Interior Architecture and Environmental Design Program academic staff members and students will also be taking part in the activities.

5th Design Week taking place under the sponsorship of KTMMOB – Chambers of Architects, Deniz Plaza, Harmony Stationery, Buse Stationery ve Azgan Crafts Wizard will be providing a productive environment for future as well as current designers.

The official opening of 5th Design Week will take place at Architecture Faculty Colored Building at 10:00 a.m. on 20 May 2015. Following the opening ceremony, Ali Yapıcıoğlu’s presentation entitled “Rammed Earth” will take place between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. Spanish architect Santiago Cirugeda’s presentation entitled “From the Individual to the Collective” will be taking place on the same day at Rauf Raif Denktaş Culture and Congress Center between 5:30 p.m. and   6: 30 p.m. On 22 May, 2015 Assist. Prof. Dr. Cemil Atakara’s presentation entitled “Sustainable Awareness” will be taking place at Architecture Faculty Colored Building A01 between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

5th Design Week will also be hosting 18 workshops, 2 film screening activities and short concerts. Outcomes of the workshops taking place for three days will be exhibited on 22 May 2015. Following the certificate ceremony, the event will come to an end with a closing party.

Credit: EMU

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Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Architecture Department introduced a new social responsibility project under the title of “Green Island Mission”. Around 300 architecture students, academics and research assistants participated in the tree planting activity which took place at Tatlısu Village.

During the implementation of the project entitled “Green Island Mission” jointly carried out by EMU Architecture Department, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Cyprus Turkish Orthopedically Disabled Association, and Tatlısu Municipality, more than 1200 trees were planted in Tatlısu village’s coastline.

Following the tree planting activity, EMU Architecture Department Chair Prof. Dr. Özgür Dinçyürek expressed his appreciation to the participants and stated that every architect should possess environmental sensitivity and awareness.

Credit: EMU

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Students of Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty receive their design studio courses in one of the historical places of Famagusta, Bandabulya.

Within the framework of the courses which have been delivered at the aforesaid venue as of the 2014-2015 Academic Year Spring Semester as part of the collaboration between EMU and Famagusta Municipality, students are provided with the opportunity to design in a historical environment.

Mayor of Famagusta and President of the Board of Trustees İsmail Arter and EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam visited the aforesaid students in Bandabulya. During the visit, İsmail Arter stated that their collaboration with Eastern Mediterranean University carries importance in highlighting the historical heritage potential of Famagusta, bringing life to the Walled City and, most importantly, integrating the university with the city.

EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam added that Famagusta Walled City is a place full of historical sites and thanked EMU Architecture Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara, academic staff members and Famagusta Municipality for their cooperation.

Dean of EMU Architecture Faculty Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara stated that they have initiated various projects and collaborations with Famagusta Municipality to convert the Walled City into a more lively place. Prof. Dr. Şebnem Hoşkara added that they set up classes in historical Bandabulya to enable the students to bring up more creative and effective projects by exploring the historical tissue of the city. Stating the importance of creating a platform bringing students and historical sites together for them, Prof. Dr. Hoşkara expressed the faculty’s excitement in delivering courses in the aforesaid venue and thanked Famagusta Mayor İsmail Arter and EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam for their support.

Chair of the Famagusta Walled City Association Rifat Yalınç stated that they are ready to host any kind of activity that would bring positive outcomes for the Walled City and expressed his belief that students of EMU Architecture Faculty will be more creative and interact positively when they design in a venue with historical qualities. Yalınç added that the collaboration of Famagusta Municipality and Eastern Mediterranean University in this respect will definitely yield positive outcomes.

Credit: EMU

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Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Interior Architecture Department is finalising the preparations for the “10th Year Cocktail” organised in honor of the department’s first graduates.

Taking place at EMU Beach Club between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on 6 March 2015, the event will bring together former graduates and academic staff.

Having contacted its graduates throughout the world one by one, EMU Interior Architecture Department is living the excitement of bringing together the faculty members with graduates who have completed 10 years following their graduation. Through this organisation, graduates will cherish memories  and catch up with other graduates’ present lives and careers.

Source: EMU

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Named after the pioneer of the 20th century modern architecture Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Prof. Dr. Özgür Dinçyürek has been nominated for the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture Mies Van Der Rohe Award.

Launched in 1987, the award is co-funded by the EU Culture Programme and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe. By highlighting excellent architectural works that have been constructed over the last two years, the Prize draws attention to the contribution of European professionals in the development of new ideas and technologies, as well as the cultural importance of architecture in the construction of our cities

.The European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe announced the list of 420 projects competing for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2015. 27% of the proposals deal with Housing while 24% are Cultural facilities. 11% are connected to Education, 5% to Offices and the other 33% include mostly Sport, Commercial, Governmental, Transport and Urban typologies.

Candidates for the Prize are put forward by a broad group of independent experts from all over Europe; the associations that are members of the Architects' Council of Europe (ACE), as well as other national architects’ associations and the institutions that form part of the Advisory Committee for the Prize.

At each biennial edition, the jury selects two works: one that receives the Prize and the other the Emerging Architect Special Mention, both in recognition of their conceptual, technical and constructional qualities. The jury also selects a set of shortlisted works to be included in the catalogue publication and travelling exhibition.

The Prize is endowed with 60,000 €, while the Special Mention consists of a cash prize of 20,000 €. The winners are also awarded a sculpture designed by Catalan artist Xavier Corberó inspired by the columns of the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion of Barcelona, symbol of the Prize and one of the 20th century’s major architectural works.

Credit: EMU

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Digital Art Exhibition: Beautiful Chaos | Girne American University

DIGITAL ART EXHIBITON

Theme: "Beautiful Chaos"
...by ShorinOla O. Oladotun

Date: 29th - 31st Dec. 2014
Venue: Girne American University, Faculty of  Architecture Design and Fine Art.

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Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Architecture Department has completed another important phase in the American National Architectural Accrediting Board’s (NAAB) accreditation process.  Paying their first official visit to the faculty last year, the NAAB committee visited EMU Architecture Department for the second time and conducted an analysis of the criteria on physical conditions, student performance, administrative structure, social equality and other similar subjects on which the department has been working since last year.

During their visit, NAAB Committee observed the accreditation-related work in the aforesaid department and had meetings with the department chair Prof. Dr. Özgür Dinçyürek and Architecture Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Şebnem Ö. Hoşkara.

The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) is the sole agency authorized to accredit US professional degree programs in architecture. Since most state registration boards in the United States require any applicant for licensure to have graduated from a NAAB-accredited program, obtaining such a degree is an essential aspect of preparing for the professional practice of architecture. The accrediting process is intended to verify that each accredited program substantially meets those standards that, as a whole, comprise an appropriate education for an architect. If EMU Architecture Program successfully obtains the accreditation of NAAB, along with Istanbul Technical University, Kuwait University and King Suud University, it will be the fourth program outside the USA accredited by the American National Architectural Accrediting Board.

The cocktail reception which aimed to bring together various stakeholders in the accreditation process took place with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economics, Tourism, Culture and Sports Serdar Denktaş, Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Dr. Hakan Dinçyürek, Minister of Transportation Hasan Taçoy, Famagusta District Governor Şifa Çolakoğlu, Famagusta Mayor and Chair of EMU Board of Trustees İsmail Arter, Yeni Boğaziçi Mayor Katip Demir, Tatlısu Mayor Hayri Orçan, members of the parliament, members of EMU Board of Trustees, Chair of the Chamber of Architects Azmi Öğe and members, Chambers of Landscaping Architecture Chair Buket Asilsoy, faculty deans and department chairs, deans and department chairs of universities providing architecture studies within TRNC, directors of Famagusta Initiative, Antique Famagusta Foundation, graduates and staff members of the Architecture Department. 

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Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Architecture Department organized a certificate awarding ceremony at St. Peter and St. Paul Church (Sinan Paşa Mosque) for  students who demonstrated outstanding academic performance during the 2013-2014 Academic Year Spring Semester.

EMU Architecture Department chair Prof. Dr. Özgür Dinçyürek and other academic staff members from the same department awarded high honor certificates to students. In his speech after the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Dinçyürek stated that success is not coincidental. Stating his happiness with the increasing number of students every passing academic year, Prof. Dr. Dinçyürek thanked all those who contributed to the organisation of such a meaningful event.

The event which also had the aim of increasing students’ motivation prior to the exam period as well as strengthening the bond between students and the faculty members finished with a mini concert performed by the students of Architecture Department.

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EMU Interior Architecture Department Designing a "Yoga Studio"

Within the framework of the 2014-2015 Academic Year Fall Semester İTAS 201 and INAR 291 Interior Architecture Design Studio...Read More

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Eastern Mediterranean University Architecture Faculty, Architecture Department hosted world renowned architect Jos Leyssens, who delivered a series of seminars for academic staff and students.

Jos Leyssens currently works at Belgium-based ‘Licence to Build’ company as a director.  Leyssens is also the chair of the Brabant’s and Brussel’s Architects Association, the executive board chair of the National Architects Union and the Belgian representative in the European Architects Council.

With the main theme of “Educational Buildings”, during the first day of the seminar, Leyssens provided detailed information on selected buildings that set samples of successful architectural qualities throughout the Europe. Leyssens also touched upon the criteria and design principles in the construction of school buildings in Europe.

During the second day of the seminar, Leyssens provided information on the profession of architecture in Europe with a special focus on the changing architect profile, architects’ working conditions and the construction industry in Europe.

The seminars which received considerable interest both from the academics and the students ended with a special session on students’ questions. Following the seminar, EMU Architecture Department chair Prof. Dr. Özgür Dinçyürek presented a plaque of appreciation to Jos Leyssens.

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