Interview with Filiz Cingi Yurdakul, Founder of Aura Design

In this interview, Filiz Cingi Yurdakul, Founder of Aura Design Studio, answered our questions. Yurdakul provided information about Aura Design Studio's architectural approach. [caption id="attachment_102860" align="aligncenter"] Filiz Cingi Yurdakul[/caption]

Could you briefly tell our readers about yourself, your education and professional background?

I was born in Ankara in 1980. I graduated from the Department of Architecture at Middle East Technical University in 2003. I left a project firm where I gained 10 years of valuable experience as a group manager. Subsequently, I took on project management and design roles at a major construction company, and then served as site design coordinator for a 200,000 m2 mixed-use project that included a shopping mall, residential units and offices. In 2016, I decided to continue my career in my own office. When I opened Aura Design Studio, I gained the opportunity to apply my experience in project design, project management and site design management to our projects. For 4 years now, as Aura Design Studio, we have been monitoring projects meticulously at every stage. We manage processes with the awareness that results matter.

How does the design process take place at AURA Design Studio? How do you determine the concept? If there are sources of inspiration in this process, what are they?

Our clients generally come to us through referrals and entrust the design process to us based on confidence. We also consult with them to establish preliminary criteria, examine the project site, and trace relevant historical processes. These processes sometimes relate to the project area and sometimes to building typology. Afterwards, the entire team comes together and begins the design process by preserving the elements that impact us most and will make the project most original, functional and aesthetic. We aim to create designs that are grounded, functional, aesthetic and provide users with new life experiences.

Could you tell us about the awards that AURA Design Studio has won and the significant projects it has completed?

For us, every project is important and special. We approach all projects with the same meticulousness. If you examine our projects, you will notice that we work on projects of very different scales and functions. We believe there are no boundaries or scale in design. Our second-place award in the Casablanca International Waterfront Competition is valuable to us. Additionally, we take pride in winning first place in an invited competition for a Corporate Headquarters, Museum and R&D Building on Eskişehir Road, and in our success in the master plan work for the Trade Fair Center and its surroundings planned to be built in Algeria.

Particularly in developed countries, great importance is given to sustainability, green buildings and passive house concepts. For a greener future, what can be done in Turkey in this area? Could you share your views and recommendations?

I believe that when the concept of sustainability in buildings is applied in Turkey, it is somewhat more promotional, superficial and visually prominent, and unfortunately the concept of sustainability in our country has not received the value it deserves. This is because building sustainability begins with determining the correct functional scenario with the owner and operational team. According to the correct scenario, projects are designed with durable and long-lasting building material selections appropriate to the building and function, with easy maintenance. The correct heating and cooling systems are determined. It continues with grey water systems for landscape irrigation and renewable energy sources resolved together with the building design according to the characteristics of the project area. Subsequently, when building systems are activated through automation systems, operating costs and low carbon emissions of the building are the most important criteria for the building's sustainability. I believe that when we properly inform our clients as both architects and engineers on this matter, the path to development will also open.

Topics such as public spaces, urban planning and landscape architecture are extremely important in terms of their direct impact on people's lives. In this context, what perspective does AURA Design Studio have? What are the criteria you prioritize in such projects?

In all our buildings, we consider the concept of public space and the relationship our building establishes with its surroundings as one of our fundamental design criteria. In all our projects, the relationship between public space, semi-private space and private space can be clearly observed. In this sense, we actively participate in public projects. We have prepared urban design and architectural projects in collaboration with municipalities and institutions in many cities in Turkey. Many have been realized, some are about to be. Receiving positive feedback is truly a rewarding process for us.

Landmark buildings, also known as "iconic structures," significantly contribute to a city's recognizability. In this context, what types of buildings that could attract worldwide attention could be constructed in our ambitious tourism cities? Could you provide information about your work in this area?

I think one of the most striking examples in this regard is the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum designed by Gehry. An architectural structure added its city to the world's art map. With the completion of the museum, the number of tourists visiting Bilbao increased by 700% in the first year and, as far as I know, continues to increase; furthermore, Bilbao's Mayor Iñaki Azkuna was elected best mayor in the world in 2012. I believe we should also create cultural and iconic structures like in this example. Within the scope of the Trade Fair Area and Master Plan we designed in Algeria, we had an iconic tower design. The symbolism of structures within their areas, their utilization of the representational value of the project site within the city-structure mutual relationship is necessary. The kind of iconic structures we find lacking in Turkey are those that are symbolic not only through their architectural appearance but also through what they exhibit and their function, like the Bilbao Museum or the Library of Alexandria.