Date

1980

Author

Bektaş, Cengiz

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Cengiz Bektaş is a distinguished contemporary Turkish architect. He has numerous contributions both as a designer and as a writer and poet. Bektaş, in the above interview, and during the discussions held in the opening of the exhibition of his own work, summarized his approach in design, the state of architecture in Turkey, the implications of architectural theory and methodology. He explained how he related these to his experiences as a practicing architect. He believes that there is quite an overlap between his work and his life style. He assures that there are strong reasons why he stresses utilitarianism and functionalism, but this is not in the narrow sense and goes beyond what functionalism implies. Again; he notes that without the pure formalism can reach nowhere. On environmental determinism, Bektaş thinks that determinism creates a sound frame of reference like scientific thought and places the designer in a more objective situation.- But, there should also be a sheer scepticism behind determinism without which architectural inquiry should be meaningless. He finds quite a relevance in the old saying that "cities create man" and that without the context of the city social existence of man and his relationship to physical environment cannot be materialized, The criticism he developed for constructivism, nationalism and universalism in architecture is that they develop independent of general acceptance of a nation and these . "isia"s were more affiliated with the upper and ruling classes. Both nationalism in 1940's and internationalism after 1950's in Turkey have no traditional roots and do not establish a unifying language. On the other hand, vernacularism is a development from within which stresses on the local aspects of architecture. An understanding of vernacular architecture pertains adaptiveness, rationality, congruity, clarity and flexibility. 'Vernacular instruments in architecture can easily be integrated in contemporary designs by utilizing modern technology and methods. Vernacular ideas play an important role in conceptualizing what architects want to do in a more coherent manner. Such ideas from vernacular architecture has been implemented in his designs such as in spatial organization and in instruments of environmental control. On participation, his attempts rely more on intuition. The objective was not to generate a theory of participation but to achieve as more reliable and products by obtaining a consensus in the implementation stage of design. Consideration of user needs is an important dimension in the ,design process. But his experiences on participatorydesign are more on individual buildings than large scale projects which he now works on. Antalya project he says 142 C BEKTAŞ İLE BÎR SÖYLEŞİ displays the, initial stage of participatory design where architects, lawyers and newspapermen, took part. The participation of the local people as yet could not be actualized. Bekta.ş believes that emphasis should be given to the communicative role between the user and the designer. As for the contribution of sculptors, painters, psychologists and sociologists in the design process, Bektaş thinks highly about the relevancy of interdisciplinary approach. About the impacts of his visit to the METU and the role of practicing architects and their effects in architectural education, he feels that there should be continuous feedback to and from between practice and architectural education.

URI

http://jfa.arch.metu.edu.tr/archive/0258-5316/1980/cilt06/sayi_2/129-142.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/51195

Collections

Department of Architecture, Article