SO? Architecture and Ideas wins first-ever YAP Istanbul Modern

With the winners of the New York and Rome editions of the Young Architects Program (YAP) already unveiled, the first-ever YAP Istanbul Modern winner has now also been selected: the temporary installation Sky Spotting Stop by young design firm SO? Architecture and Ideas reached the highest score with the jury and will be built in early June in Istanbul Modern’s courtyard.

sky spotting stop | göğe bakma durağı* from soistanbul on Vimeo.

Sky Spotting Stop is a temporary site-specific installation that shades the courtyard of Istanbul Modern while floating gently on the hidden waters of the Bosphorus, projecting its host space upon the city. Istanbul Modern’s courtyard is partly isolated from urban flow despite its very central location; thanks to this ephemeral, albeit lively addition, which will serve as an intriguing spot for the museum’s exterior, the courtyard will become part of the skyline. While the illuminated mirror plates create a constantly changing background for events at night, they provide undulating shadows during the day. On the ground, an altering landscape made of mobile reused elements transforms the courtyard into a new stop in the city for sitting, resting, gathering, playing, or “sky-spotting.”

The jury is formed of architectural experts and of representatives from Istanbul Modern and the other Young Architects Programs. The jury consists of Emre Arolat (architect), Çelenk Bafra (Curator, Istanbul Modern), Barry Bergdoll (The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, MoMA), Pippo Ciorra (Senior Curator, MAXXI Architettura), Levent Çalıkoğlu (Chief Curator, Istanbul Modern), Pelin Derviş (YAP Istanbul Modern Coordinator), Oya Eczacıbaşı (Chair of the Board, Istanbul Modern), Cevdet Erek (artist / architect), Pedro Gadanho (Curator of Contemporary Architecture, MoMA), Prof. Suha Özkan (President of the Jury / architect), Melkan Tabanlıoğlu (architect), and Han Tümertekin (architect).

The president of the jury, Suha Özkan explained the jury’s verdict for selecting Sky Spotting Stop as follows: “The Jury has unanimously selected Sky Spotting Stop by SO? to be implemented in the courtyard of Istanbul Modern. In the proposal by SO?, the total functioning of the components creatively derives its energy from the site. This energy, taken from the immediate environment, also has the potential to generate additional energy. The project is a celebration of movement and light. Fragmentation of the canopy into individual circular panels transforms the movement of the reflected light into poetic waves of light and shade. Patches of reflected light dancing in the dark and shadows that float during the day add amazing vitality to the environment. The multiple functions of the fragmented canopy render the project rich, engaging and playful. The continuous movement of the buoyed posts supporting the circular canopies reproduces the sound and image of the ships moored to the quay and establishes an exciting association between the two different types of posts. The harmony of the posts on land and sea generates a fascinating dialogue. The project is feasible and carries no financial risks of exceeding the allocated budget. The engagement of local industrial groups and the utilization of local and used materials were noted as positive aspects.The originality of the selected project will contribute to the aesthetic world of architecture and design.”

Another YAP Istanbul Modern Jury member, Pippo Ciorra from MAXXI, said: “Sky Spotting Spot immediately jumped on me as the possible winner of YAP Istanbul Modern 2013. Among five very good projects and at least a couple of close runners the SO? proposal showed a very convincing attitude to achieve the most with the minimum building effort―an example of ‘sustainable’ sustainability―and to play perfectly both the conceptual and the functional role. I’m sure Istanbul Modern will gain a lot by the presence of such installation in its open space.”

To be held biannually during the summer, the YAP Istanbul Modern: Young Architects Program offers emerging architects the opportunity to design temporary exterior installations through an innovative approach to architectural design. This is a first for Turkey. The program is carried out by Istanbul Modern in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) / MoMA PS1 and co-sponsored by Polimeks and VitrA.

In addition to the winner, the designs proposed by all the finalists of the YAP International programs will be exhibited at Istanbul Modern, MoMA PS1, MAXXI, and CONSTRUCTO.