Fine Arts

CIU returns with an award from the competition

CIU Student Karina Abdykadyrova Achieved Great Success in INTO THE RABBIT HOLE 2024 Design Competition!
Karina Abdykadyrova, Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture (FFADA) student  was awarded a prestigious award at the INTO THE RABBIT HOLE 2024 International Design Competition organized by Archiol.

The creative and innovative project that stood out from many applicants worldwide was  developed by Abdykadyrova within the scope of the ARCH 502 Innovative Laboratory course achieved great success. 

FFADA Dean Prof. Dr. Cemil Atakara stated that their student Karina Abdykadyrova achieved great success with her innovative approach and creative vision, and said, “We are very happy that our student Karina Abdykadyrova won an award in this international competition. This success also once again demonstrates the quality of education our faculty renders and our capacity to make a difference at the international level in the field of architecture.” 

Explaining that Karina Abdykadyrova’s award-winning project was inspired by the ancient Kyrgyz worldview of Tengrism and focused on harmony with nature, sustainability and environmental responsibility, Atakara shared the information that  Abdykadyrova developed her project together with her advisor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ehsan Reza. Prioritizing mental and spiritual balance in her design, she used environmentally friendly materials and aimed to minimize the ecological footprint by integrating the structure with its natural environment.

Dean Atakara also spoke about the jury’s evaluation of the project, saying, “The project skillfully uses the terrain to create unique spatial forms for ancient Tengri spiritual practices. The design successfully combined spaces for meditation, education and traditional activities.”

Pointing out that this international success has reinforced the worldwide recognition of CIU’s education programs in the field of architecture, Atakara said, “This result proves once again that the university provides an environment where creative thinking and innovative designs are encouraged.”

Karina Abdykadyrova emphasized that she wanted to design a structure in harmony with nature, inspired by Tengriism, and said, “Together with my advisor, we integrated the structure under the ground using environmentally friendly materials. In this way, we achieved harmony with the environment and supported ecological sustainability.”