Author: Sümeyye Okumus

Architecture’s most influential figures have long demonstrated that their ideas are not confined to skylines or masterplans. The same minds who script museums, towers, and cultural landmarks increasingly turn to the scale of the hand, exploring how everyday objects might carry the identity of their architectural worlds. Across shelves, lamps, eyewear, and even rescue devices, these pieces become distillations of larger philosophies, small-scale architectures that fit on a desk, a wall, or a wrist. Far from being side projects, these objects reveal how architects think when freed from the constraints of site, program, and gravity. They expose the line where…

Modern architecture, which emerged in the early 20th century, is largely characterized by its commitment to functionalism. Modernist architects, who believed that form should follow function, adopted a minimalist approach, eschewing unnecessary ornamentation in their designs. Iconic modern buildings, notable for their sharp and angular lines, are often characterized by light, open plans, and distinctive volumes. The leading figures of modern architecture often preferred materials such as glass, steel, and reinforced concrete in their constructions. Playing a significant role in the evolution of contemporary architecture with its simple and unique appearance, modernism enjoyed a long and fruitful reign, leaving behind…

As Christmas approaches, Christmas markets, offering the opportunity to experience the joy of Christmas most magically, have begun to appear in many European countries. Each with its own unique charm, these markets aim to offer visitors an unforgettable holiday experience with their sparkling lights, joyful music, smiling and dancing people, delicious foods, and warm mulled wine. Often held in historic squares, in front of cathedrals, or in city centers, these markets blend the spirit of Christmas with the city’s architecture, while wooden stalls, giant Christmas trees, and decorations create an impressive atmosphere. These markets offer not only shopping opportunities but…

Located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, boasts an architecture that offers a dazzling blend of architectural styles and buildings from different eras. Surrounded by former communist Russia and neighboring Muslim countries, Tbilisi has long been a meeting point of diverse traditions and cultures, where architecture intertwines with the city’s cultural fabric. Modernism, Brutalism, Constructivism, and Stalinist architecture can be found in Tbilisi, where you can find impressive apartment blocks, hotels, and libraries, as well as war memorials, monuments, and reliefs. Here are the 10 places to see in Tbilisi if you love architecture:…

Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, has transformed from a small fishing village into one of the world’s most futuristic cities in just fifty years. Becoming one of the world’s wealthiest cities, Dubai has produced some of the most daring and groundbreaking engineering and architectural achievements to date. Nourished by its Emirati culture while boldly embracing the future, Dubai has gained global attention with its ambitious architectural projects that challenge norms in both scale and vision. Expanding its land into the sea through man-made islands, the city presents a vision filled with “the…

Iraqi-born British architect Zaha Hadid, whose deconstructivist approach revolutionized architecture, redefined 21st-century architecture. Transforming ideas about what can be achieved with concrete, steel, and glass, Hadid combined optimism for the future and a keen eye for innovation with advanced design, material, and construction innovations. Known as the “Queen of Curves,” the Pritzker Prize–winning architect challenged the rigidity of traditional architectural forms through her groundbreaking parametric designs of flowing lines, dynamic angles, and interwoven planes. On March 31, 2016, Zaha Hadid passed away, leaving behind her dazzling architectural works and ideas that continue to inspire architects around the world. Adopting a…

Before the emergence of artificial intelligence, the traditional methods that dominated the world of architecture required significant time and effort. AI tools, which improve project management for architects and designers and simplify the tedious tasks that once required hours, help achieve better results faster. Compared to traditional methods, artificial intelligence (AI) can visualize designs in a fraction of the time or quickly suggest the most suitable alternatives based on site analysis and building needs, ushering in a new era in the architectural world. Moreover, thanks to their intuitive interfaces and ability to integrate with many programs already used by designers,…

OMA is an international architectural firm operating within the traditional boundaries of architecture and urbanism. Led by seven partners, Rem Koolhaas, Reinier de Graaf, Shohei Shigematsu, Iyad Alsaka, Chris van Duijn, Jason Long, and Managing Partner-Architect David Gianotten, OMA has offices in Rotterdam, New York, Hong Kong, and Australia. Aiming to go beyond standard solutions in all its projects, thereby redefining typologies, OMA’s designs are based on two fundamental principles: research and collaboration. Rejecting haste in architectural form, OMA approaches design as a process and views every condition within a project not as a constraint but as an opportunity. The…

Those who wish to pursue a career in architecture usually follow a path that begins with earning a degree from a university’s architecture program. However, throughout architectural education, from history courses to studio work, we frequently encounter the names of renowned architects who became icons of their eras and sources of inspiration, despite not holding a formal architecture degree. Some of these renowned architects, due to financial constraints or dissatisfaction with the educational system, never began or completed their architectural education. By cultivating their own skills and developing distinctive design languages, they became some of the most celebrated architects in…

Herzog & de Meuron, founded in 1978 in Basel, Switzerland, by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, has grown into one of the most influential studios shaping contemporary architecture. With over 600 projects across 40 countries, the practice has become synonymous with a design language that fuses precision with emotion. The studio’s work defies formula. Each project begins as a dialogue with its environment, cultural, physical, and social, resulting in architecture that feels both inevitable and unexpected. From the industrial solemnity of the Tate Modern in London to the sculptural clarity of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in…