‘DIGITAL CITY’ SHOWERED WITH AWARDS IN LONDON
Urban designs of young architects of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) collected awards in England. Students of IUE Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, who represented Izmir with two different projects at “FABFEST” design festival hosted by University of Westminster in London, came in first and third in the category of architectural detail analysis, came in third in architectural design and architectural detail solution, and third in material usage.
IUE architects, who came in first place in the category of “Hawthorn impressive design”, received Hawthorn money award, and a third prize in the best architectural design category selected by the jury members last year, displayed their projects on this year’s theme, “Digital City”, in London.
This year, under the guidance of Asst. Prof. Güzden Varinlioğlu, Faculty Member of IUE Department of Architecture, 50 students created two teams and developed two projects and teams. Students attended the contest with a team of 17, called ECOFAB. Students, Gözde Damla Turhan, Elfin Ulupınar, Seda Tosun, Aslıhan Doyuran, Alper Ateş, Onur Baturay, Emir Emirbayer, Kaan Turhan, and Sercan Hatırnaz, entered the contest with their design on global cities that are connected to each other and to economic network, “VOXEL”. Students, Seyit Koyuncu, Erman Eskiköy, Ebrar Eke, İpek Akbaşoğlu, Erol Gönül, Büşra Kayalar, Ayça Özüm Sevinç, and Melih Yavuz, talked about the dynamics of cities and their adaptability in their project titled, “MONAD”. The project “VOXEL” came in first place in the category of architectural detail analysis, and third in material usage, whereas the project “MONAD” came in third place in architectural design and architectural detail.
Asst. Prof. Varinlioğlu said, “The theme for this digital production contest, which is being held for the third year, is Digital City. Last year we attended with 10 students. This year, we attended with two different projects. The challenge is to propose a compelling and engaging proposal for a pavilion or installation to explore and manifest ideas on a theme designated each year. You need to develop a design, manufacture, assemble, and submit it at the contest. Mentors and students from 33 countries created designs. Two of our projects received awards at manufacturing and assembling contest.”
Varinlioğlu reported that students created urban designs on information technology and communication. They addressed the highly populated cities that are digitally connected to each other in the project, VOXEL, Varinlioğlu said, and stated that students focused on the city to organize itself efficiently based on the needs of urban life in MONAD.