More Than a Design Office: Tolkan Architecture — Interview with Tolgahan Şahin

We sat down with Tolgahan Şahin, founder of Tolkan Architecture. Designing projects that are in harmony with nature, users, and function, Tolgahan says: "We operate not only as a design office, but also as a construction and implementation firm."

Hello Tolgahan, how does Tolkan Architecture plan living spaces? What common ground do these spaces share?

Hello, at Tolkan Architecture our goal is to design projects that are compatible with the region, nature, users, and function, without being tied to any template. Our sensitivity in our projects is that the user can feel a sense of belonging to the space, and that living areas are livable and usable. Our aim is to design living spaces planned according to user needs, rather than filling spaces with furniture.

What path do you follow in the project process?

Our project process begins with alternative sketch drawings. We try to determine the character of our design as a starting point, aiming to give the design an identity. Accordingly, we start placing and shaping the sketches on the site.

"I believe that applicable and usable design, quality and careful craftsmanship, will always be valued and deserve respect."

What drives an architecture firm to success?

We are still at the beginning of the road. I believe that applicable and usable design, quality and careful craftsmanship, will always be valued and deserve respect.

Life dynamics and social structure fundamentally affect human-centered architectural buildings and spaces.

How do changing life dynamics and user habits direct people toward new designs? Are there architectural movements you embrace?

Humans and human life are the foundation of human-centered architecture. Changing life dynamics also guide architecture. From past to present, there are effects and examples of human and social life on architecture. For example, the radical transition from Gothic architecture to modern architecture is the most important indicator of changes in society and social life reflected in architecture.

From massive Gothic architectural structures, we see that the social environment and more functional multi-unit buildings brought by modernism, from structures that dominate their surroundings to structures that establish relationships with their environment, and that design and ancient architectural inspirations have given way to orthogonal designs.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Bed-In...

The transition from modern to contemporary architecture is not radical but occurs through the accumulation and possibilities offered by technology, finding expression in various production methods in architecture. However, within contemporary architecture, there are radical changes in the changing structure of human life.

The most comprehensive example that comes to mind is John Lennon (musician, member of The Beatles) and his partner Yoko Ono starting their "work" action in their beds (1969). For months they grew their hair in bed, made music, ate meals in bed, and with banners they hung, artists of that era questioned work discipline and its forms critically.

"I believe the future of architecture is sustainability-focused design."

What do you think about the future of architecture?

I believe the future of architecture is sustainability-focused design. I think using materials with low carbon footprint and high energy efficiency will become a requirement of every architectural design in the future.

Partnership with Bereket Fide

In addition to our architecture firm, we have started working on mass housing and detached housing with Bereket Fide Construction. In these projects, we want to sign energy-saving housing projects for the future.

We started our partnership by improving the energy efficiency of Bereket Fide Head Office restoration and production facility. In the project, we took care to recycle and reuse all available building elements. We strengthened existing walls, steel beams, roof panels and flooring with steel columns known for high energy efficiency.

We are meeting a large portion of the company's production energy needs with an approximately 350 kW solar energy system. Our next project is the Waste Water Recycling Project aimed at recycling used water. We plan to continue our projects with Bereket Fide as a pioneering and environmentally friendly approach in the seedling production sector.