NEW YORK – May 11, 2018 – The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced that internationally renowned architect Emre Arolat has received the prestigious 2018 RIBA Award for International Excellence for the innovative Sancaklar Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.
The jury described the project as an uplifting reimagining of a mosque, featuring an unorthodox, contemporary design, and an interior layout which conceptualizes liturgical conventions.
“I am thrilled to have been honored by the RIBA with this prestigious award,” said Arolat. “Sancaklar Mosque’s innovative design captures the essence of a place of worship as opposed to the aspects of a typical mosque, representing the purest forms of light and matter and providing a space for worshipers to observe and be free from all outside burdens. It is wonderful to be recognized by the RIBA for such an important project.”
The RIBA International Prize 2018 is considered one of the world’s most prestigious awards in architecture. Awarded yearly, to the most transformative building which demonstrates visionary, innovative thinking, excellence of execution, and makes a distinct contribution to its users and physical context. This year’s 20 winners represent the best of the best in global architecture today. Founded in 1834, the RIBA is a global professional membership body aiming to further excellence in architecture on a global scale.
About EAA – Emre Arolat Architecture
Founded by Emre Arolat and Gonca Pasolar in 2004, EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture focuses on a wide range of work including urban master plans, airports, residential and cultural buildings, and workplaces. EAA, with a long family tradition, has become one of the largest architectural offices in Turkey, and has expanded to offices in London and New York. Emre Arolat Architecture believes in fully exploring and researching the socio-political context of all projects, and is committed to executing thoroughly researched work.
EAA’s projects have been displayed in many notable institutions, such as the Design Museum and Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Royal Institute of British Architecture, and at numerous International Architecture Biennales in Venice and Istanbul. The firm’s work has received international recognition, including selected work with the Mies van der Rohe Award, the Aga Khan Award, and the RIBA Award for International Excellence 2018. The firm’s work has been published in Emre Arolat Architects: Context and Plurality, a monograph published by Rizzoli and edited by Philip Jodidio and Suha Ozkan.
EAA’s wide-ranging repertoire includes a marina complex on the shores of Yalikavak, Bodrum (2011-2014); the Antakya Museum Hotel, built above an existing archeological site in Antakya (2014- ); the SantralIstanbul Contemporary Art Museum, (2005-2006); and the Dalaman International Airport (1999-2006), among others.
For more information about EAA-Emre Arolat Architecture, please visit www.emrearolat.com.
About Emre Arolat, M.Arch, RIBA
Born in Ankara, Turkey, Emre Arolat comes from a long family tradition of architects. After graduating from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul, Emre joined his parent’s architecture firm, and in 2004, formed his own firm EAA – Emre Arolat Architecture with co-founder Gonca Pasolar.
Emre Arolat has lectured and taught at design schools around the world, and was recently named Norman R. Foster Visiting Professor at the Yale School of Architecture. Emre Arolat also held a professorship at the International Academy of Architecture.
Emre Arolat has collaborated on many projects with fine arts institutions, a notable example being his collaboration with the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, in which he worked with the organization to co-curate the first Istanbul Design Biennale.
