Onur Olguner, President of the KTMMOB Chamber of Architects, attended the 3rd Architecture Festival, organized by the Adana Branch of the TMMOB Chamber of Architects. Speaking at the festival's opening ceremony alongside Zeynep Eres Özdoğan, President of the TMMOB Chamber of Architects, and Canan Aksu, President of its Adana Branch, Olguner emphasized the social significance of architecture and the importance of strengthening professional collaboration.

OLGUNER: “WE MUST FIRST EXPLAIN OUR PROFESSION TO OURSELVES, AND THEN TO SOCIETY”

Emphasizing that architecture has been an art form shaping human life and culture since the dawn of civilization, Olguner referred to Ernst Gombrich's renowned book The Story of Art, highlighting architecture's fundamental role in the history of art and civilization.

Olguner noted that the growing demand for rapid building production following the Industrial Revolution and the two World Wars led to the emergence of new areas of specialization within the construction industry. However, he pointed out that this transformation also brought the risk of weakening architecture's holistic character and its broader social role.

In this context, Olguner emphasized the importance of architecture festivals as platforms for architects to rediscover and discuss the value of their profession among themselves before communicating its significance to society.

Concluding his speech, Olguner expressed his gratitude to the TMMOB Chamber of Architects and its Adana Branch for their kind invitation. He also shared his aspiration to strengthen cross-border professional collaboration and organize similar architectural events in Cyprus in the near future.

AKSU: “TO TRANSFORM A CITY, WE MUST FIRST IMAGINE IT”

Delivering the festival's opening address, Canan Aksu, President of the Adana Branch of the TMMOB Chamber of Architects, described architecture as a creative field where imagination meets reality and memory connects with the future.

Aksu noted that the festival brought together architects, academics, and professionals from various disciplines across Türkiye in Adana. Referring to this year's festival theme, “Kurmaca” (Fiction), she stated:

“In a world shaped by artificial intelligence, rapidly multiplying copies, ready-made templates, and increasingly uniform cities, we are questioning one of the most fundamental elements that makes us unique: fiction.”

ERES ÖZDOĞAN: “THE HOUSING CRISIS IS A GLOBAL ISSUE”

Zeynep Eres Özdoğan, President of the TMMOB Chamber of Architects, highlighted the theme of World Architecture Day, which recognizes housing as a fundamental human right.

She noted that the housing crisis had been a central topic of discussion at architectural events organized throughout Türkiye during October, emphasizing that the issue has also become a priority on the agendas of international architectural organizations.

Eres Özdoğan further stated that the festival would provide a valuable platform for architects to come together, discuss professional challenges, exchange diverse perspectives, and develop collective solutions.

She concluded by expressing her appreciation to everyone who contributed to the organization and successful realization of the festival.