GAD’s design for the Polat Levent Exclusive project has achieved a significant honor, being named a finalist in the “Unbuilt Sustainable Residential Project” category at the 13th Annual Architizer A+Awards, “Honoring The World’s Best Buildings & Spaces.” This prestigious international awards program by Architizer, known for celebrating architectural excellence globally, recognizes projects that not only demonstrate outstanding design but also contribute to a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient built environment. The winner in this category will be determined by public vote.
Gokhan Avcioglu of the GAD Foundation participated as a jury member in the Final Jury of Assoc. Prof. of Architecture Ferda Kolatan’s design research studio at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman Architecture on May 2, 2025, in Philadelphia. For the Spring 2025 term, the Master-level architecture students of Ferda Kolatan’s design research studio, with teaching assistant Jorge Couso, presented their semester studio project designs.
These designs were based on the analytical and contextual experiences gained during the studio’s visit to the Archaeological Excavations in Side, Antalya region of Türkiye in February 2025. Ferda Kolatan’s students presented designs focusing on the unique archaeological landscape of Antalya-Side, with research and experimentation on its classical past through the studio subject of the Roman era Hamam.
The GAD Foundation was supported by Barut Hotels, Barut Hemera Hotel, Mina Barut and Cengiz Barut. During the UPenn student visits to Side in February, Head of Excavations at the Side Archaeological Site, Prof. Dr. Feriştah Alanyalı, provided valuable insight into the studio’s goal of creating contemporary architecture appropriate for the archaeological setting.
Gokhan Avcioglu of GAD recently participated as a jury member for the final year architectural project reviews at the Pratt Institute School of Architecture at Higgins Hall on the Pratt Institute campus for the spring 2025 semester in Brooklyn, New York. His involvement highlights his continued dedication to architectural education and fostering emerging talent.
Divan Kuruçeşme by GAD, completed in 2021, has been awarded LEED Gold Certification as a result of its environmentally conscious approach and commitment to sustainability principles. This distinguished venue in Kuruçeşme on the Istanbul Bosphorus successfully met green building criteria including energy efficiency, water conservation, waste recycling, and sustainable transportation, making it one of Türkiye’s most environmentally friendly event spaces. The LEED Gold Certification was earned through Divan Kuruçeşme’s eco-friendly design and sustainable practices.
Under the guidance of ERKE Consultancy, the process yielded significant environmental gains, including 60% energy savings, a 46% reduction in water consumption, and 88% waste recycling. With this achievement, Divan Kuruçeşme transcends being merely an event venue; it has become a symbol of sustainable living.
Commenting on this significant achievement, Gokhan Avcioglu of GAD stated, “This LEED Gold certification for Divan Kuruçeşme is a testament to GAD’s unwavering commitment to environmental matters and sustainable design. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Divan Hotels and the Koç Group for their profound commitment to the environment and for entrusting us with a project that truly embodies sustainable values.”
The Istanbul Association of Architects in Private Practice (Istanbul SMD) held its first member event of the 12th term on May 7, 2025, at Madera Istanbul. Hosted by SilkarStone, the event featured a presentation by SilkarStone’s Chairman, Erdogan Akbulak, on the company’s new Innolite laminated natural stone system. The event saw a significant turnout from association members led by Chairman of the Board of Istanbul SMD Durmuş Dilekci. This special event brought architects together for sectoral discussions in a warm and convivial atmosphere in the heart of Istanbul at Madera. Gokhan Avcioglu, a member of Ankara SMD, along with Selin Çamur and Defne Teoman from GAD, also attended. The event served as an important gathering point, reflecting GAD’s commitment to architecture in Türkiye, energizing the new term, and strengthening solidarity within the architectural community.
