‘Eco-friendly’ library

Turkish and Japanese students who came together at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) redesigned the Izmir Painting and Sculpture Museum building in Alsancak as an ‘eco-friendly’ library. Working in groups of 5 for a week, 32 students created bright and aesthetic designs featuring palm tree and bougainvillea motifs that emphasized the theme of sustainability and received great acclaim.

The nearly 20-year-long collaboration between the IUE Faculty of Fine Arts and Design and Chiba University in Japan has once again turned into a meaningful project this year. Japanese faculty members Prof. Dr. Kaname Yanagisawa and Prof. Dr. Yuki Ito, along with 16 students, visited Izmir as guests of IUE. The Japanese visitors toured historical sites of the city and spent plenty of time in the Ancient City of Ephesus and the Historic Kemeraltı Bazaar.

TO BE PRESENTED AT A CONFERENCE IN ANTALYA

As part of the visit, Japanese students met with graduate students from IUE’s Design Studies Master’s Program, as well as second-, third-, and fourth-year students from the Departments of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, and Industrial Design. Together, the Turkish and Japanese students designed special projects that redesigned the building, which is currently used as a Painting and Sculpture Museum within the Izmir Culture and Arts Factory, as a functional library. The 5 innovative and environmentally friendly projects created by Turkish and Japanese students, will be presented at an international conference in Antalya this November.

“A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS”

Project coordinator Prof. Dr. Deniz Hasırcı, a faculty member in IUE Department of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design, stated that the Turkish and Japanese students worked harmoniously and produced outstanding designs. Expressing that the Japanese students loved Izmir, Prof. Dr. Hasırcı said, “I first met Japanese Professor Kaname Yanagisawa in 2004 at an international conference in the United States, and our friendship has continued ever since. When I started working at IUE in 2006, we formalized this collaboration between the two universities. Hülya İncekara, Director of the Office of International Affairs, greatly supported us in taking the necessary professional and official steps. Thanks to our exchange program agreement with Chiba University, dozens of our students have studied and completed internships in Japan so far. Japanese students and professors have also visited us many times. Through this collaboration, our students have had the chance to experience different cultures, improve themselves, and open up to the international arena.”

“WORKED IN GREAT HARMONY”

Highlighting that Turkish and Japanese cultures came together at IUE, Prof. Dr. Hasırcı said, “The Izmir Culture and Arts Factory is an important site, notable for its historical architecture. One of the key buildings within this complex is the Painting and Sculpture Museum. We asked our students If they were to design an innovative library within this museum, what would it look like? 16 Turkish and sixteen Japanese students, 32 in total, participated in the Project and worke din great harmony. They first toured the building and its artworks, then brainstormed ideas together, and finally shaped their designs meticulously. The results were professional-level works of design. We concluded the process with a certificate ceremony, but I’m sure their friendships will continue. I congratulate all the young people who, in such a short time, created eco-friendly and creative solutions that are much needed in today’s design and construction industries.”

“MANY PEOPLE CONTRIBUTED”

Emphasizing that many people contributed to the realization of the Project, Prof. Dr. Hasırcı said, “Dean Prof. Dr. Ender Yazgan Bulgun, Vice Deans Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Mengi and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Aslankan, Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emre Ergül, and Research Assistants Yasemin Albayrak Kutlay and Elif Gündoğdu, along with Asst. Prof. Dr. İdil Bakır Küçükkaya and our secretary İpek Uyarer, all played major roles in organizing the event. Some of our students also took part in the organization. I sincerely thank everyone who contributed and our university administration for their ongoing support over the years. I would also like to thank Cengiz Topal, Director of Izmir Culture and Arts Factory; Vice Director Elif Erginer; and Ayşe Füruzan Caman, Director of Izmir Painting and Sculpture Museum, for their valuable support.”