Here is the winning team of this year’s mid-term jury competition in the first-year Basic Design studio at İstanbul Bilgi University. The challenge they undertook was called “Void by Subtraction.” Initially, the students engaged in a series of short-term exercises exploring solid and void relationships. Alongside the studio sessions, they honed their digital modeling skills through Architectural Geometry courses. Their task was to create a contoured structure within a restricted 8m3 volume. Through various iterations using clay and foamboard prototypes, the team eventually employed 3D laser scanning to digitize their clay model. They further employed a leap motion gadget to simulate the hand-made clay-forming process on a computer.

The students showcased remarkable proficiency in developing and presenting their ideas. Their proposed structure features an inner void, serving as a comfortable seat for one person, while the outer periphery accommodates additional seating for others. Both the physical and digital models they produced were exceptionally precise and of high quality. What makes their achievement even more impressive is that the group comprises students from different departments. This includes architecture, interior design, and industrial design, all in their first year of study. Their dedication and effort at the beginning of their educational journey make their success even more commendable. This “Void by Subtraction” exercise exemplifies the unique curriculum of this special studio, demonstrating its effectiveness in fostering creative thinking and technical skills among the students. I believe that this studio will add many important skills to all three departments.

Students: Selim Buldu, Lachyn Tuliyeva, Neda Khorshidi, Serhan Koçbasan, and Sevgi Yücel