The Küçükçekmece Djemevi project, designed by EAA in collaboration with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, was awarded the grand prize for “Future Project Of The Year” at this year’s World Architecture Festival, where the jury included prominent academics and architects. The project was selected as the winner among the first-place winners of 14 different categories. This marks the first time a project from Turkey has received this prestigious award.
In addition to this significant recognition, the Küçükçekmece Djemevi project also won the WAFX Award in the “Power and Justice” category. This award honors designs that address global issues such as climate change, health, technology, ethics, and values with an innovative approach.
The Djemevi was designed as a gathering space that addresses the legitimized spatial needs of the Alevi community, rooted in the essence of “unity” central to Cem rituals, within a context where marginalization has become a form of societal instinct. At the festival, the design showcased architecture’s capacity to critically engage with cultural, religious, and political issues, serving as an inspiring example not only for Turkey but also for the international architectural community.
The project aims to invite society by creating a permeable building not only providing the space the Alevi community needs but also addresses the division by incorporating a public plane that connects both courtyards visually and physically with the park located on the upper level. The main transportation artery influenced the design of one of the primary communal areas, Hayat (Life), along with the adjacent Dining Hall, Reading Room, and Classrooms, all arranged to echo the composition of traditional rural typologies.
Other Awards From WAF…
In addition to the Küçükçekmece Djemevi, the “Centipede” project, a pedestrian proposal designed in collaboration with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to be located on Büyükdere Avenue, received the WAFX Award in the “Smart Cities” category. Meanwhile, the Archaeological Site Cover, designed in collaboration with the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality and to be situated on the Yumuktepe Mound, was awarded the Highly Commended recognition in the “Future Cultural Buildings” category.
An Engaging Speech By Emre Arolat
This year on the WAF stage, Emre Arolat delivered a speech titled “NEGOTIATING OBJECTIONS by Tracing the Specifics of CONTEXT.” In this presentation, Arolat first shared insights into his personal architectural journey and then offered an in-depth narrative about the thought processes behind projects such as the Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum, The Museum Hotel Antakya, and the Sancaklar Mosque.
Emre Arolat On The Super Jury
As part of the festival, Emre Arolat served on the jury for the award presented following the presentations of the projects that reached the finals in the “Building of the Year” category. The jury, which awarded the grand prize to the Darlington Public School project located in Sydney, Australia, included Arolat alongside Sonali Rastogi, Ian Ritchie, and Mario Cucinella.
