Speaker: Zafer Akay
The building activities in Beyoğlu which started with embassy buildings after Tanzimat gradually diversified with the Istanbul Fine Arts Academy “Sanayi-i Nefise”. While Tepebaşı - İstiklal Caddesi transformed into the European entertainment center of the Ottoman capital with its cafes and theaters, it also turned into a showcase of the architectural styles and movements of the period. Art Nouveau which characterizes the turn of the century has also many representatives, produced by local architects such as Karakach brothers, Georgiadis brothers, Kyriakides and Novokosmos creating one of the colors of Beyoğlu.
Graduated from METU Faculty of Architecture in 1984. Worked as a research assistant in METU between 1985-87 and conducted freelance architectural studies in Ankara between 1988-97. Edited the Arkitekt magazine in 1991. Moved to Istanbul in 1997. Worked as the publishing director of ArchiScope magazine in 1998-99. Worked in different positions in the Neighborhood Disaster Management Association after 1999. Conducted editorial studies in the Chamber of Architects and Literatür Publishing. Started architectural works again as Zafer Akay Building Workshop in 2004, besides conducting studies in architectural history focusing mainly in Architecture in Turkey and modernization. Working as part time lecturer in Istanbul Bilgi University since 2014.