The project that will revive the center of fashion

Mimar Kemalettin Fashion Center will turn into a 24-hour living space by designers from Izmir University of Economics. Mimar Kemalettin Fashion Center, Turkey's wedding dress production center in Izmir, which has become the most important markets of Europe and Middle East countries, the square and its surroundings at the intersection of Necati Bey Boulevard and Mimar Kemalettin Street will be the focal point of tourists and Izmir residents with its new look and facilities .

The “Mimar Kemalettin Fashion Center Square Arrangement Concept Project” has been prepared by the faculty members of Izmir University of Economics (IUE) Faculty of Fine Arts and Design upon the request of Izmir Chamber of Commerce Manufacturing and Wholesale Trade Group and Mimar Kemalettin Fashion Center (MKMM). The project, which awaits approval from Izmir 1st Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Regional Monuments has been delivered to the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Urban Aesthetics Directorate for implementation. The square and its immediate surroundings will become a center of attraction again with the project developed by Assoc. Prof. Aslı Ceylan Öner, Asst. Prof. Onur Mengi, Lecturers İpek Kaştaş Uzun, Michael E. Young, Güneş Atakan Pekşen, IUE Graduate Architects Fatih Gülpınar, Seyit Koyuncu, and Industrial Designers Sıla Altuntaş and İdil Ersin under the direction of Prof. Ender Yazgan Bulgun, Dean of IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design.

HISTORIC TEXTURE HAS BEEN PRESERVED

Giving information about the project, Prof. Ender Yazgan Bulgun said that they carried out structural, social and sectoral researches in the region and that the project was prepared to meet the needs of business owners and users. Drawing attention to the fact that a multidisciplinary research group, consisting of faculty members of architecture, industrial design, interior architecture and environmental design, as well as textile and fashion design, is working, Prof. Bulgun emphasized that designs were created by preserving the historic texture of the buildings. Prof. Bulgun said, “We aimed to create a new concept by preserving the old buildings. We removed the signage and visual pollution. We aimed to create a center that reveals architectural and historical values ​​and unites with the new.”

ALL DETAILS EXAMINED

Stating that studies have been carried out in many scales from the sun map to structural analysis in the field, all details from the materials to be used to green areas, to tree types are planned, Prof. Bulgun said that the abbreviation "MKMM" will turn into design applications at the entrance of areas and with different materials on many surfaces within the scope of identification studies. Noting that they aim to turn the center into a living space and to attract the citizens to the region with its cafes and living areas, Prof. Bulgun said, “Foreign buyers spend time here especially after the wedding gown fairs. MKMM expression is also a more permanent identity for foreigners. We want to turn the center into a venue that has fashion show areas, is open for 24 hours, and stays top-of-mind for visitors. We wanted to transform the area into a building where landscaping elements, lighting, mobile cafe, a certain type of trees are used and people want to spend time at. Since it is an urban protected area, we did not make any structural intervention. Our aim is to create a center of attraction to revive the sector. The most important thing is to increase the interaction of the citizens with the Mimar Kemalettin Fashion Center.”