Young Architects Win Award for Their Project

Aylin Akay, a graduate of the Department of Architecture at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), received an award at the 22nd Ytong Architectural Idea Competition with the project ‘Horror Vacui’, which she developed together with fellow architects Işıl Ceren Tur and Başak Ünver. The team's project focused on creating a space where people can briefly rest amidst the density of urban life and disconnect from the surrounding digital and physical clutter. Their proposal earned one of the competition's three equal awards. As part of the prize, the young architects also qualified to join an architectural study trip to Cairo, Egypt, in October together with the competition jury.

The 2026 Ytong Architectural Idea Competition, which attracted submissions from across Türkiye, was inspired this year by Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar's internationally acclaimed classic novel ‘Saatleri Ayarlama Enstitüsü’ (The Time Regulation Institute). Participants were invited to reinterpret themes such as time, identity, and society within the context of today's transformations and disruptions. Following an intensive two-month preparation process, Aylin Akay, a 2025 graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Department of Architecture at Izmir University of Economics, together with architects Işıl Ceren Tur and Başak Ünver, distinguished themselves with their innovative concept and received the award.

DIGITAL CROWDING AND INFORMATION OVERLOAD

Sharing details about their project, Horror Vacui, Akay said, “Together with my teammates, we reflected on the speed, information overload, and digital crowding that all of us experience today. People are constantly exposed to notifications, images, and ever-changing streams of content throughout the day. We proposed a space at the heart of the city where individuals can temporarily step away from all this intensity, pause, reflect, and reconnect with their inner voice. Being recognized with an award in such a prestigious competition is a tremendous source of happiness and pride for us.”

A VALUABLE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Currently working as an architect at a private firm, Akay emphasized that the education she received at Izmir University of Economics played a significant role in helping her reach this point in her career and achieve this success. She also noted that, in addition to the award itself, participating in the architectural study trip to Cairo alongside the competition jury will be an invaluable experience for her and her teammates' professional development.