Demirce Architecture in CONSTRUCTION & INVESTMENT Magazine
First of all, can you tell us about yourself?
I was born in Istanbul in 1977. I came to Izmir when I was 10 years old. Arrival, that arrival. I didn't want to leave again. I graduated from Dokuz Eylül University in 2000 and worked in various architectural offices for a while. My wife and I have been continuing our freelance architectural activities since 2004.
Could you tell us about the establishment phase of Demirce Architecture?
We started out as 4 architect friends in 2004 and founded ORTERO company. However, as a result of differences, which was a natural process, we decided to part ways in 2007. We continue under the name DEMİRCE.
What were your goals when you started architecture? How much have you accomplished?
I have always been a person who wants to do my job in the best possible way. I have an idealistic outlook. I have always had a long-term goal, and this is also true for the architecture profession. I keep my long-term goal for now, but I always create short-term goals in line with the long-term goal. For example, when I was at school, I started my project by saying that I would receive the Archiprix award, and I was very happy to achieve this goal. This was the way I looked at all my projects afterwards. Our aim was to carry out projects that have symbolic value, add value to the environment, are sensitive to the environment and people, and meet needs.
Do you also produce projects abroad?
We carried out various projects in Azerbaijan and Iran. We are currently working on a 5-star hotel project that is a symbol in Azerbaijan and will represent the region.
Can you tell us about your ongoing projects?
EVZEN project consisting of 9 twin blocks with a manege in Urla, Izmir, a 5-star hotel project in Azerbaijan, the interior project of 4 single-type residences and a private residence in Azerbaijan, an apartment project in Iran, Izmir Private housing projects and interior projects continue in .
Where are competition projects in your life? How did it reflect on your profession?
I enjoyed participating in competitions during and after my student years. But due to the intensity of our projects, I had to move away. I followed as much as possible during this process. The excitement of the competition projects we participated in at the beginning of our careers was replaced by the projects we completed. We are living in a period where we carry out each project with the excitement and enthusiasm of a competition in itself. We hope to be able to participate in competitions again in the near future.
What are the projects you carry out? Housing, school, hospital, shopping mall... which ones do you enjoy drawing?
We mainly carry out residential projects and interior works. In addition, hotel projects are projects whose process is very enjoyable.
Are there any must-have items for your projects? Wood vs…
Wood and natural stone are indispensable for our projects. Wood is a warm material and has a perfect harmony with natural stone. We take care to respect nature in all the projects we are involved in. We inform and encourage our customers about sustainable architecture. Houses that produce their own electricity, use of heat pumps, maximum insulation, rainwater collection, correct positioning, etc.
Can you tell us about your architectural style?
We are searching for a cause-effect relationship. In line with the answers we receive to the reasons, we describe the need, user and environmental inputs and produce solutions for the result. We love clear geometries. In general, we seek aesthetics in the different relationships of these clear geometries with each other. Lately we have been trying to build this relationship organically. I interpret this as the effect of "time" on our lifestyle, in parallel with the effect it has on materials and needs.
We do not separate architecture into interior and exterior. We see these as steps followed to achieve results.
What is the place of environmental awareness in your understanding of architecture?
Environmental awareness has a very important place in our projects and our perspective on life. We constantly follow the agenda regarding sustainable architecture and try to raise awareness of those around us. The Kaynak Mansions Project, of which we are the project manager in Izmir, is a pioneering project in Turkey in this regard. We will use a heat pump in Evzen and there will be solar cells.
Architects and their works that you like in Turkey…
Tabanlıoğlu Architecture and Emre Arolat are among the architects I admire in Turkey with the projects they have done and the success awards they have received.
What are your next goals?
From now on, our goal is; To produce projects that are symbolic, sensitive to the environment and people, and to raise environmental awareness.