"Ben küçük şirin binalar yapmıyorum"

(31.10.1950-31.03.2016)

Kıt kanaat ingilizcem ile Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture'a yolladığım eposta

Please don’t do this İstanbul Cultural Center Project.

This is wrong for particular reasons. Let me explain.

Architectural History;

In 1946, young Republic of Turkey was decided to build his first Cultural Center. It was a step of his way to be a modern country. Architect Feridun Kip and Architect Rüknettin Güney start the Project but soon they had to stop because of financial problems. After seven years government found the Money to finish the Project and gived the job to Architect Hayati Tabanlıoğlu who studied on Theater Architecture in Germany.

Design of Atatürk Kültür Merkezi (Atatürk Cultural Center) Show us the Zeitgeist, a young and modern Country who turned his face to the west.

In time building get old, needs are changed and aesthetic is changed. Everybody accept that, AKM needs to be restored. But is it right the way to building a new one? It is cheapest, easiest and fastest way, yes. But not the right one. Once we lost the AKM , we will also loose the History. Today nobody  suggest to demolish and build a new White House or Buckingham Palace.

When our conservative Government closed the AKM to restore it, everybody panicked. After reaction of the people they gave us their guarantee not to demolish the building. Even the restore job has been given to Murat Tabanlıoğlu, son of Hayati Tabanlıoğlu.

But soon after all restore job stopped because of financial problems. Since 2008 İstanbul has no Cultural Center and AKM became a ruin, a Police Station.

People's Reaction;

After 5 year (2013), our Goverment has a new idea; building a Mall on Taksim Gezi Park. İstanbul Architects Union's reaction was fast. They organized our colleges and students starts camping on park to stop the construction.

After Police's over reaction, a simple protest became a movement. During this moment Prime minister of Turkey suggest demolish the AKM and build a new Baroque Cultural Center...

Architect's Union accused to be a Terrorist group. People were abused in police custody, murdered in the streets. After months (and few funerals) Government give up the Mall project. All legal cases against protestors dropped, AKM is still closed and nothing is happening.

Why building a new Cultural Center is a bad idea?

After Gezi Movement, AKM became political symbol. Destroying this symbol for a new building, baroque or not, will not give a good message. People are already start talking about the resemblance between your tower and minaret.

Because of the obvious reasons no Turkish Architect would accept this job. This project could start another movement. Government also know that. That means next time Police will overreact sooner.

Why the government want to take Atatürk Kültür Merkezi (Ataturk Cultural Center) down?

This is a conservative government. They don't deny; they miss the Ottoman Empire . Even some Deputy's sad ''Republic is just a commercial break''. Some people are talking about ''new Ottoman Era''.

AKM is a symbol of Republic. Even his name came from our founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Your project name is İstanbul Cultural Center, this is not a coincidence.

Please don't do this project. This is unethical.

Best Regards

Architect Erdem Adalı

Benin de söyleyeceklerim var diyenler için : info@smithgill.com