Beyond the Traces” Seminar Days Completed at CIU

The Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture at Cyprus International University (CIU) organized the “Beyond the Traces: Transformation of Ideas into Space Seminar Days” on April 14–15–16. The three-day event brought together speakers from various disciplines in architecture and design with students.

On the first day of the seminars, Begüm Bilgin and Caner Bilgin attended as honorary guests. In his presentation titled “3 Geographies, 3 Approaches,” Caner Bilgin described architecture as a “research-based practice” and emphasized that collaborating with professionals from different disciplines strengthens the production process. Presenting examples from projects developed in different geographies, Bilgin highlighted that architecture is not limited to constructing buildings but is a multilayered field encompassing context, culture, and social impact.

On the second day, Ece Uludağ and Hasan Çakmak were hosted as guest speakers. In the morning session, Ece Uludağ delivered her presentation titled “Designing the Invisible,” stating that the design process in interior architecture begins with accurately analyzing user needs and gains meaning through its geographical context. She emphasized that site analysis, material selection, and implementation details are decisive factors in the project process, noting that the applicability of a design is a fundamental element of professional success.

In the second session of the same day, Hasan Çakmak held a talk on the worlds of art and literature. Sharing his experiences regarding the creative process, Çakmak emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary interaction and answered participants’ questions.

On the final day of the seminars, Ergin Birinci stated that architecture is not only an aesthetic production but also a holistic process that shapes ways of living. In his closing presentation, Birinci addressed spatial production through process, needs, and context, emphasizing a user-centered and environmentally harmonious design approach. He underlined that sustainability, the use of natural materials, and a process-oriented perspective form the foundation of contemporary architectural understanding.