Studios

I have been coordinating the Graduate Program in Architectural Design at Istanbul Bilgi University since last year. I would also like to note down some information about the program here. The Graduate Program in Architectural Design at İstanbul Bilgi University is positioned at the intersection of design, technology, production, and sustainability. It aims to equip designers and architects with advanced skills in computational design, coding, material research, robotics, and digital prototyping. Additionally, it introduces the fundamental principles and concepts of…

Last month, we completed the third edition of the Robotic Earthcrafts workshop series, which I co-organized with Fulya Akipek, following the first in 2018 and the second in 2023. An earthen mixture composed of clayey soil, lime, fibers, and cement was rammed into molds produced via robotic hot-wire cutting. The geometry of the fabricated wall is based on a hexagonal grid and features a Truchet-like variation. Constructed using four different block types, the wall was completed within 5 days and…

Rammed earth is an unpredictable, labor-intensive building material, and far less durable than concrete. It cannot deliver the standard strength expected by engineering academia. And perhaps it is for the better that it cannot. Because it tells us an entirely different story. It reminds us architectural thinking that dares to look outside the box. What I want to share here, is not just a simple studio project, but a profound life lesson for many of us here, lived in the…

I’m looking forward to teaching Design Mathematics, a compulsory course in Istanbul Bilgi University’s graduate program in Architectural Design. The course was previously offered as an elective in the undergraduate program (here). Over time, I have also shared parts of the course content on the blog, particularly the sections on linear algebra and Rhino Python. Unfortunately, though, I have never quite managed to turn this material into the book project I had envisioned. Perhaps this semester I’ll finally make it…

Robotic EarthCrafts II occurred in the summer of 2024 at Istanbul Bilgi University, seven years after the first. Together with Fulya Özsel Akipek, Nilüfer Kozikoglu, Abdullah Mallah, and Halit Mallah, we experimented with the robotic fabrication of molds for rammed-earth structures. The focus shifted toward a human scale based on the experience gained from Robotic EarthCrafts I. At the workshop’s core were spatial systems resembling muqarnas, which incorporated non-planar geometric transitions. Unlike the first workshop, we utilized a parametric model to design and generate robot…

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital file by building them layer by layer. Unlike traditional manufacturing, where the material is cut or molded into shape, 3D printing adds material in successive layers. This allows for greater precision and the creation of complex geometries. In this short tutorial video, I am using Cura software to slice a simple geometry for 3D printing. This is a tutorial for a specific homework…

Relief in the context of art and sculpture refers to a technique where a three-dimensional form is created on a flat surface. The object or figure “protrudes” from the background, creating depth and texture. In this short tutorial video, I am modeling waves relief using the basic drawing and modeling commands of the Rhinoceros software. Here, I use the point surface command. Because, in Rhinoceros, generally we describe the parametric surfaces as four-sided objects. So, this exercise is a basic…

Truchet patterns refer to a set of geometric designs based on simple, repeating shapes, usually tiles or squares. These tiles can be rotated or flipped to create complex and visually interesting patterns. A French mathematician, Michel Truchet introduced these patterns in the 1970s. Since then, you can see them often in art, design, and mathematics. In this short video tutorial, I am modeling truchet relief in Rhinoceros CAD software. My purpose of this modeling process is to demonstrate the basic…

A “hypar” is short for a hyperbolic paraboloid, a double-curved, saddle-shaped surface often used in architecture and structural design due to its unique geometric properties. It is a ruled surface, meaning it can be constructed entirely with straight lines, despite its curved appearance. In this short tutorial video, I am building a beginner-level 3D pattern that resembles the hypar surface. This is a basic drawing exercise to control the viewport and place primitive objects precisely. Thus, more advanced tutorials would…

In art, design, and geometry, folding involves bending or creasing a material, such as paper, fabric, or other flexible materials into defined shapes or patterns. In this short tutorial video, I am modeling a folds relief pattern. This pattern stands out due to its resemblance to a collapsible folding system, combining both structural and aesthetic qualities. We refer to it as a folds relief pattern because it also mimics a relief design, creating light and shadow effects. This video series…