AWARDS AND COMMEMORATIONS

CAT held the National Architecture Exhibition and Awards for the first time in 1998 on the occasion of celebrations for the 400^th anniversary of Mimar Sinan and since then, is repeated bi-annually with an aim of documenting the status of architecture in Turkey, to establish the tradition of rewarding successful projects and to contribute to bringing the society close to architecture. The exhibition and awards program is an exemplary institutional initiative that brings architectural profession and culture into the agenda.

With the Xth cycle realized in 2006, a Commemrotation Programme, with the XIth cycle of 2008, the Program of Architects with Sinan Prize were initiated as parallel programmes.

National Architecture Exhibition and Awards

The aim of the programme is defined as, “ to keep architecture on the agenda of the general public by promoting and encouraging and awarding of architectural activities in our country, documentation of architectural products and encouragement of fine arts”. Official requests from the Chamber for candidates to represent Turkey at international exhibitions or awards are determined from among those who were recepients of, or candidates for the National Architectural Awards

Within the scope of the program two types of awards are granted: the “Grand Award” (Sinan Prize) for which life-long achievement in the field of architecture is rewarded; and “Achievement Awards” for which persons or institutions which have contributed to architecture as well as successful “buildings”, “designs” and “presentations of ideas” are rewarded. As the award program is open to participation from all over the country and since not only the awarded works, but all submissions are exhibited nation – wide with the National Exhibition – it acts as a documentation of architectural product/building of architecture practiced in the country

The evaluation process starts with the presentation of the National Exhibition, organized by a committee within CAT, to an independent Selection Committee and varies according to the criteria each selection committee determines for itself. All the works participating in the exhibition are automatically candidates for the Achievement Awards. On the other hand, for the “Mimar Sinan Grand Award”, “Achievement Awards in Contribution to Architecture” and “Commemoration Program”, in addition to the candidates nominated by the jury, candidates may be nominated by the professional community.

The XIIth cycle of the programme was completed in April 2010 during the Sinan Week. XIIth cycle will be realized in 2012.

These tasks are undertaken by the National Architecture Exhibition and Awards Organization Committee and Selection Committee.

Commemoration Program

Commemoration Program is a parallel program which is create to enliven the memories of late architect(s), who contributed to architecture, cities, building stock and architectural culture in Turkey during their professional lives. For each cycle, which starts with the exhibition and award period where the person to be commemorated is determined and runs until the next award cycle - CAT organizes various activities around Turkey and the public is encouraged to attend. The commission for this programme is responsible for the events and activities to be organized as the Commemoration Program such as exhibitions and publications. During the 2006 – 2008 phase of the program architecture of Mimar Kemalettin, during the 2008-2010 phase Seyfi Arkan were exposed: work on Zeki Sayar who was the editor of the journal Arkitekt is completed for the 2010-12 period. These tasks are carried out by the Commemoration Program Commission.

Program of Architects with Sinan Prize

This program promotes architects or partner architects, who have received the “Mimar Sinan Grand Award” in the context of National Architectural Awards. for their life-long achievements with their architectural works, as well as their contributions to the field of architecture to the public through activities such as panels, exhibitions or publications. The program was realized for Ziya Tanalı during the 2008–2010 period and for Mehmet Konuralp for the 2010-2012 cycle.