İstanbul is a city of contrasts. The city embodies the most progressive thinkers and designers along with the most ultraconservative people.
Emre Arolat
I have recently learnt that Emre Arolat who is an exceptionally gifted architect has won the ‘Future Project of the Year’ Award in 2024 given by World Architecture Festival (WAF) for his design of a Cemevi commissioned by İstanbul Municipality in Küçükçekmece. It is the first time a Turkish architect has won the ‘Future Project of the Year’ by WAF.
Alevis during their ritual which encompasses dance and music and the sexes are not segregated like that of Sunni Muslims
Cemevi is the holy place for Alevis who have a completely different theology as well as practise compared to Sunni Muslims that dominate the country.
Arolat says that he imagined a space which both legitimises and encompasses the Alevi community which has been marginalised in Turkish society. The Cemevi Arolat designed is a complex that encompasses a prayer area, dinner hall and a park that envelopes it.
You can see how progressive and futuristic his project for a house of worship in İstanbul is. It is a delight to see how his vision has been awarded.
If you are interested in getting to know this extraordinary architect, here is an interview with him!
