Emre speaks at Teke Tek Bilim

In this extensive conversation, Emre Arolat and Fatih Altaylı discuss a series of worthy and intriguing issues. They start with the question of how the structure of cities has changed from the Republican era to the present, focusing on urbanization in Turkey and Istanbul. They delve into the planning process since the early days of the Republic, the rapid increase in urban migration in the 80s and its relationship with politics, the Istanbul plan developed in the 80s and its subsequent changes over the years, as well as new plans implemented in the 2000s. They also touch upon the scarcity of designed structures in Istanbul and the concept of effective planning.

Emre Arolat shares his thoughts on Early Republican architecture, the subsequent removal of these structures for political reasons, retaliatory architecture, various projects in Istanbul that became landmarks but were demolished over time, and other preservation projects. He also discusses the construction industry in Turkey, the misinterpretation of Seljuk architecture in contemporary times, and shares his opinions on world-renowned projects in other countries, architectural and design ethics, and the responsibilities of architects.

Additionally, he delves into his own experiences teaching at Yale University and various projects by EAA. They discuss the Sancaklar Mosque and the modern mosque architecture, including the design process, preliminary research, and preparation, as well as the other mosque project in Dubai. He touches upon the Umut Elazığ project, The Museum Hotel Antakya project, their respective stories. The conversation also covers the İzmit SEKA master plan, Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum, its design features, and Arolat’s opinions on Galataport in this context. He also offers their comments on museum architecture, the culture industry, and contemporary art in today’s world.

You can watch the video here.