A Architectural Design
Ali Osman Öztürk | Founder
MIPIM 2025, a new opening, a new beginning for Turkish architects!
MIPIM 2025 | perspective…
MIPIM 2025 was quite eventful; all areas were full. Participation was strong in terms of both quantity and quality, and Turkish architecture firms were effectively represented at the event. As participants, it was a successful organization that met our expectations. As a federation, we set out with a target of ten offices for MIPIM 2025; in the end, we participated with nine offices.
At the stand; leading Turkish architectural offices of the sector, A Tasarım Mimarlık, Dome+Partners, DS Landscape & Architecture, Efekta Architects, GAD Architecture, Melike Altınışık Architects (MAA), Norm Architects, RGG Architects, and Tabanlıoğlu Mimarlık, introduced their projects.
In addition, there was an important development for the Turkish architecture sector: Melike Altınışık served as a jury member at MIPIM 2025. The fact that Enis Öncüoğlu had previously served on the jury shows that the visibility and recognition of Turkish architects at international architecture events is gradually increasing
The Turkish Architects Federation…
During the period when Turkey’s harmonization laws with the European Union were on the agenda, various meetings were held at the EU building. The necessity of adapting to both Europe and the world was emphasized, and the following statement was made: Organizations like yours are organized in federations around the world. We recommend that you also become a federation.
Upon this, we examined our legislation and saw that a federation could be established by bringing together five associations. In a short time, associations were established in Istanbul and Izmir. Then, three more associations were opened in Bursa, Muğla, and the Mediterranean region. Thus, the Turkish Architects Federation was established by bringing together six associations.
During the establishment process of the Turkish Architects Federation, we realized that when you become a federation, you move to a different platform and gain certain privileges. In particular, the perspective towards Turkish architects abroad changes; our representation is perceived as different and stronger.
We also observed the concrete results of this effect in the post-earthquake period. After the earthquake, support and aid came from all over the world. Turkish architects in America wanted to contribute both by producing projects and with financial funds.
At that time, I had a meeting with the AIA (American Institute of Architects) in New York. If I’m not mistaken, this meeting was held before the federation was officially approved; therefore, the contacts carried out on behalf of the federation had a semi-official character. Despite this, we clearly felt that we were taken more seriously in international collaborations thanks to these meetings.
highlights and trends…
The event also had a strong social dimension. Sincere relationships were established with the institutions participating in the event, primarily GYODER, and government agencies; effective and productive dialogues took place. The Turkish coffee and Turkish delight offered were greatly appreciated. Participants enjoyed visiting our stands and meeting acquaintances. During this process, we clearly observed the positive effects of Turkish hospitality and direct interaction.
Furthermore, at this event, we clearly saw that the understanding of nature-sensitive, environmentalist, and sustainable architecture has become prominent in designs recently..
We can say that large-scale urban projects, urban transformation initiatives, master plan-level approaches, and projects and presentations aimed at improving urban quality of life have come to the fore more than in the past.
the evolution and progress of MIPIM…
Our first participation in MIPIM as A Tasarım took place about 20 years ago. Thanks to the shopping centers we built at that time, Avi Alkaş, who is now the Chairman of the Board of Alkaş & HAN Spaces and the representative of MIPIM in Turkey, suggested that we participate in the event. Our participation was rather unsophisticated; however, it was still an significant start for us.
Over the years, we witnessed firsthand the truth of Avi Alkaş’s statement, “Consistency is very important here.” Indeed, maintaining consistency at international architecture and real estate events such as MIPIM is a critical factor in terms of both visibility and partnerships. For this reason, I would like to emphasize the concept of “consistency.”
Over time, both as A Tasarım and together with our employers, we participated in MIPIM numerous times. We took part in launches, attended as guests, and brought guests. There were periods when MIPIM rose, slowed down, and gained momentum again over the years. In such international events, it is perfectly natural to experience ups and downs over time, depending on external factors.
There have also been years when certain countries were more active. For example, at one point, Russians had a strong presence and generated a significant amount of business. At MIPIM, architects meet new clients, secure projects; simultaneously, major investments are launched, and some projects change hands.
In the following years, there was a strong wave of participation from the Middle East, especially from Arab countries led by Qatar, which also had significant effects. In 2025, we observed that Saudi Arabia was quite active; they had rented large areas, organized high-quality events, and made their presence felt in a clear manner.
MIPIM is not only an important platform for professionals to obtain up-to-date information about the sector, create business opportunities, and establish lasting relationships, but it also offers a powerful image-building tool. We can say that they have made effective use of this opportunity.
In my observation this year, Qatar’s approach was more down-to-earth. Additionally, there were remarkable examples from the Turkic Republics, probably from Uzbekistan, at the master plan scale.
MIPIM has one large hall, one small hall, and an outdoor area. The outdoor area is particularly important. For many years, there have been two large tents in this area: the London and Paris pavilions. T These participations are state-supported; they are backed at the ministry, municipality, and even presidential levels. All expenses for the pavilion, organization, and similar items are covered by the public sector.
In previous years, we also participated as Turkey with the Istanbul Pavilion, and I can say that this was extremely effective. Istanbul’s international recognition provided a significant advantage in this regard. When we participated on behalf of Istanbul, we also had state support; however, this support was not as comprehensive as the current examples in London and Paris.
A portion of the expenditures was supported with the aim of creating jobs in the country, developing the sector, and increasing brand value. I believe this participation took place for two consecutive years; however, unfortunately, continuity could not be achieved. Nevertheless, thanks to the participation of state institutions during that period, strong relationships were established and significant gains were achieved.
MIPIM features participants of different qualities. For many years, the Germany Pavillion and the organization of German architects have particularly caught my attention. There is also a spatial continuity at the fair. If you are located in a certain area and want to be in the same place the following year, you can reserve your spot for the next year by making a protocol before the fair ends.
German architects have been using this system consistently for years; by maintaining the same location and even expanding over time, they have secured a lasting position in everyone’s memory. This has made it possible to find them in the same place every year.
We have been discussing this issue with ALKAŞ for many years. We raised it both during the TSMD period and during the transition to the federation. We always agreed that the location of the stand had to be very good; of course, the budget was also an important factor. Some areas had been suggested in previous years, but none of them were as strong as our current location. There is a famous American saying: “When buying a house, pay attention to three things: location, location, location.” I have always valued this approach and insisted on it.
In 2025, a really good location was found, and the good news is that we have secured this location for 2026 as well. Our stand area this year was directly across from the German architects, a situation that particularly pleased me. Interestingly, this area had belonged to the French architects in previous years; they moved slightly further forward in search of a larger space, leaving this area vacant hus, the triangle where our location is situated became quite strong.
We even wanted to expand our area; Murat Tabanlıoğlu made a serious effort in this regard. However, this was not possible because the majority of participants have been settled in the same areas for years and are very attached to their locations. Despite this, we received extremely positive feedback about our location from the guests who visited our stand. I hope we will keep our current location and maintain this advantage.
contribution…
Our presence at MIPIM this year, marked by a unified stand under the federation’s banner, lent a new degree of gravitas to our participation. We believe the image we projected was on par with the formidable presence of our German and French counterparts.
On the first day, a vice president from RIBA visited our stand and expressed his pleasure at making us members of RIBA. The next day, we were invited to meet with their president at the London Pavilion and were received extremely positively. The fact that some of our architects, especially Murat Tabanlıoğlu, are already RIBA members also strengthened these contacts.
On the same day, we invited RIBA representatives to our stand, and they accepted our invitation. We also learned that the President of the German Architects’ Association visited our stand and held meetings with our colleagues. I believe that all these contacts are a natural result of our participation as a federation. Indeed, although we have been participating in MIPIM for years, such serious and high-level meetings were quite rare.
We aim to further develop this participation in the coming years and increase our activity at MIPIM.
It even seems possible to organize a Turkey Session in the future. We believe that acting under the umbrella of the federation will make a significant contribution to the realization of these goals.
We also had sponsors who contributed to the event. NURUS provided furniture support, while the stand panels were prepared by KASSO. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them.
MIPIM 2026…
It looks like there will be 9 offices in 2026 as well. We hope that the number of our offices will increase in the coming years; I would like to see 25–30 offices, not 9. I want us to promote our country more broadly, demonstrate more comprehensive participation in the international arena, and have a greater say. It is possible to say that quite positive results are achieved if continuity is ensured in participation for the work of the offices. If sufficient visibility is achieved and attention is drawn to the positive contributions of this participation to our country, the offices will also want to ensure greater participation.
