GAD Architecture’s Polat Levent Exclusive and Goreme Open Air Museum projects have been awarded an Honorable Mention at the International Architecture Awards® 2025, one of the world’s most prestigious programs recognizing excellence in contemporary architecture.
Established in 2005 by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, in collaboration with the European Centre for Architecture, Art, Design and Urban Studies, the Awards highlight the best new buildings and urban planning projects worldwide, celebrating innovation, sustainability, and design excellence. This year, an international jury selected more than 250 winners and honorable mentions from over 1,200 submissions.
Polat Levent Exclusive: A Vision for the Future of Urban Living
Located in Istanbul’s Levent district—a dynamic urban center transformed from forestland—Polat Levent Exclusive redefines residential design with a bold architectural language that integrates biophilic design principles, parametric modeling, and advanced digital methodologies. The project sets a new benchmark for housing in Istanbul and beyond.
Quote from Gokhan Avcioglu, Founder of GAD Architecture
“We are deeply honored to receive recognition from the International Architecture Awards. Polat Levent Exclusive is more thana residential project—it is a statement on the future of urban living in Istanbul. At GAD, we believe architecture must inspire while addressing the needs of a rapidly evolvingcity. This award affirms our commitment to innovation and sets a benchmark forthe next generation of housing.”
GAD willformally celebrate this achievement at the Awards Gala Reception and Ceremony on September 20, 2025, held at the Acropolisin Athens, Greece.
Nestled in the heart of the enchanting Cappadocian region, the Goreme Open Air Museum project stands as a testament tothe remarkable synthesis of nature and human creativity. The project unveils the innovative approach, showcasing how the design is harmoniously integratingmodern architecture with the ancient landscape.
The story starts with the endeavor of human beings taking shelterin natural caves, competing for them against wild animals, storing the foodfrom scavenging and hunting, or benefiting from rocky spurs to use them as ashield against the harshness of the weather. However, nature is not only athreat to humans but also a countless and ceaseless source of life.This is thebasic relationship between architecture and humans.
Cappadocia is garnished with the most intriguing scenarios where architecture and humans reconnect for super natural fascinations, and sustain this relationship. With its distinctive rupestrian habitat, culturally diverse but also geographically and architecturally marveling, Cappadocia offers opportunities for contemporary humanity to unearthsomething more valuable and find that sense of peace and harmony incontemporary society has somehow been jeopardized.
Goreme Open Air Museum project aims to procure ideas of geologicaland contextual masterpieces into a dynamic dialogue and experience destinationfor people searching for meaningful experiences away from contemporaneity and immersed in the mystic beauty of a timeless nature.
GAD Architecture’s Founder, Gokhan Avcioglu, is featured in the July 2025 issue of CEOlife Magazine in an in-depth interview conducted by Şeyma Öncel Bayıksel, Capital News Editor and CEOlife Publishing Director. In the feature, Avcioglu reflects on his projects in Istanbul, Bodrum, New York, and Dubai, and shares candid insights into the state of residential architecture in Turkey, where housing is still too often viewed primarily as an investment vehicle rather than a living space.
“Architecture produces memory.” — Gokhan Avcioglu
Emphasizing this philosophy, Avcioglu argues for the importance of designing restorative, flexible, and personalhomes, especially for professionals working at a relentless pace.
The interview explores key themes including:
Common architectural mistakes in contemporary Turkish housing.
The impact of spatial planning on human wellbeing.
What defines the ideal home for CEOs and other high-performing professionals.
Avcioglu also shared his “Seven Golden Principles for CEO Living”, which include: thoughtful use of natural light, adaptable layouts, creative workareas, integration with outdoor spaces, and the vital role of quiet and calm. Drawing from his extensive experiences in designing both residential and commercial projects, Avcioglu highlights how these principles are equally essential for fostering productivity inworking spaces as well as for maintaining a balanced and healthy personal life. Importantly, GAD has applied these principles across its portfolio, including office projects such as the firm’s own GAD Park offices, which embody flexibility, creativity, and integration with nature.
The full interview isavailable in CEOlife Magazine’s July 2025 issue.
This fall, the GAD Foundation will launch the 2025–2026 3D Printed House Design Architecture Competition, an initiative that calls onstudents, emerging designers, and architecture professionals to rethink the future of housing through the lens of 3D printing innovation.
Set to open for entries in September 2025, the competition aims to generate visionary yet feasible proposals that address global housing challenges. Submissions will be expected to explore the potential of modular, sustainable, and rapidly producible 3D-printed structures—offering technically sound solutions with meaningful socialimpact.
“I believe 3D printing is the future of architecture andconstruction. It holds the potential to revolutionize how we design, build, and live.”
— Gokhan Avcioglu, Founder, GAD Foundation
With this new competition cycle, the Foundation continues itsmission to foster architectural innovation and forward-thinking design. Inaddition to championing new ideas, the GAD Foundation is actively seeking partners and collaborators—includingtechnology firms, material suppliers, and construction experts—to help expandthe use of 3D printed building technologies in Turkey and internationally.
Competition details, including the full brief and juryinformation, will be announced in the coming months. Entries will be evaluatedon design innovation, material efficiency, energy use, buildability, and publicbenefit.
Stay tuned for the official launch this September.
On July 19, 2025, GAD Architecture team members Semih Acar, Yusuf Cavdar, and İdil Öztürk joined leading figures of the real estate sector at Feriye Restaurant in Ortaköy İstanbul for the annual “Yaza Merhaba” (Welcome Summer) gathering organized by the Real Estate Strategies Association - Gayrimenkul Strateji Derneği (GİSP).
The evening featured the panel “New Trends in Real Estate: Culture, Art, and Social Impact,” moderated by Hakan Malak, Chairman of Home Gayrimenkul. Panelists included Mert Fırat (Actor and Co-Founder of DasDas), Sinan Temo (CEO of Bilgili Holding), and Vedat Arslan (Chairman of AREMAS). Together, they emphasized how real estate extends far beyond investment value, acting as a catalyst for art, culture, and social life in shaping cities.
Reflecting on the event, GAD Founder Gokhan Avcioglu noted that “over the years, GAD has given great importance to GİSP as a platform where architecture, real estate, and culture meet. Our participation reflects our belief in fostering dialogue and collaboration that shape the future of cities.”
The gathering brought together key sector representatives, creating an inspiring kickoff to the summer season while reinforcing the intersection of architecture, culture, and community.
GAD Academy 5 begins on September 22, 2025. This 6-month certificate program is designed to advance the skills of recent architecture graduates and individuals seeking to strengthen their portfolios. With a strong balance of theoretical and hands-on learning, GAD Academy provides participants the opportunity to grow within an active, internationally engaged architectural practice.
Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
To apply, send your CV and portfolio to: academy@gadfoundation.com
