In 2005, Turkey’s first Client Award was granted with the aim to honour the clients who support the production of architectural projects of certain quality.
Beyond financial power, with its responsibility in construction the client is one of the most important actors with an essential role in the development process of physical environment. Clients are also triggers of basic design ideas, being open to changes and custom requests. Architectural projects of certain quality are products of both the designer’s skills and its “demander”.
Considering the client’s contribution in a building’s creation, client awards supporting qualified architecture are being organized in numerous countries since many years. The first client award was given in Austria 38 years ago. “Bauherrenpreis” was followed by other award organizations in Europe and United States. In evaluation process, not only the product, but all steps to the project’s realization have been considered. It has been underlined, how important the dialogue between the architect and the client was.
For the award, the clients themselves may apply or also the architects may nominate their candidates. The applications will be evaluated under the public and private sector categories. In addition, independent nominators can put in finished, qualified buildings and urban design projects as candidates.
Organized for the first time in 2005, the Arkitera Client Award was granted to İzmir Metropolitan Municipality with İzmir Konak Square Design project in public category and to TED Ankara College Foundation with TED College Yumrubel Campus in private sector category.
In 2007, the award was organized for the second time and in the public category it was given to Hatay-Samandağı Association of Rural Service for initiating social development, including the architect in the project as an expert and collaborating in the creation of Hıdırbey Village Square Environmental Design project. In the private sector category, Elginkan Holding was awarded for its donation to Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and cooperation with the architect of ITU Development Foundation Ekrem Elginkan High School, both in project and construction processes.
In 2008, the Client Award drew more interest from private sector. In property category, Galata A.Ş. was awarded with Ali Hoca 6 Renovation Project and the company was at the focus of the award organization that aimed to underline a successful client’s importance in the physical environment. For two different projects realized with two architects, Galata A.Ş. was granted the Client Award in private sector category. Datça Cumhuriyet Square Design was the project rewarded in public category among the few candidates. The award was received by Datça Mayor Erol Karakullukçu.
The Client Award will be given for the fourth time in 2010. The Jury members chosen by Arkitera Architecture Center are: Candan Çınar, Enis Öncüoğlu, Hasan Şener, Semra Teber and Cem Yücel. With the aim to emphasize the client’s importance in qualified architectural production and promote investors to build projects of quality, the award will be presented on September 30th, 2010, in BUILDIST.