21st BETONART Architecture Summer School Took Place in Gaziantep

21st edition of the BETONART Architecture Summer School, organized by TÜRKÇİMENTO since 2002 for architecture students and now considered a tradition, was hosted this year by the Faculty of Architecture at Gaziantep University. Architecture students from across Turkey participated in the summer school held between June 30 and July 9.

TÜRKÇİMENTO, the umbrella organization of the Turkish cement industry, contributes to national development not only through sectoral projects but also through social responsibility initiatives, particularly in the field of education.

For 21 years, TÜRKÇİMENTO has been running the BETONART Architecture Summer School project in collaboration with architecture students from various universities.

This year’s BETONART Architecture Summer School 2025 was held in Gaziantep with Çimko Cement as the main sponsor and Polisan Yapıkim as the materials sponsor.

As part of the program, 16 students had the opportunity to explore concrete both theoretically and practically. The summer school, which concluded with workshops, field applications, and an exhibition, enabled students to gain both knowledge and hands-on skills.

This year’s curator was Senior Architect Erhan Vural, while the academic advisor was Dr. Lecturer Esra Gürbüz Yıldırım. The program, held under the theme “Network,” also included Senior Architect Hande Ciğerli, Senior Architect Eser Ergün, and Architect/Interior Architect Gizem Temiz as moderators. Coordination was managed by Dr. Architect Ferhan Yalçın, Senior Architect Ali Fatih Cebeci, and Architect Mehmet Ali Yiğit.

Participants explored the invisible but powerful web of connections surrounding concrete — from its components and production processes to logistics and digital infrastructure. Topics such as the transformation of the material over time, sustainability, and its role within structures were discussed within the framework of the "network" concept.

At the closing event, where students' work was exhibited and certificates were awarded to all participants, SANKO Holding Chairman of the Board and TÜRKÇİMENTO Vice Chairman Adil Sani Konukoğlu shared his thoughts about the event being held in Gaziantep, saying:

“It is a great pleasure and honor to be here with you. Seeing young people who want to improve themselves, produce, add value to our country, and contribute to society gives me hope and allows me to look to the future with greater confidence. At SANKO, we don’t just produce in the industries we operate in — we strive to do meaningful work that touches lives and leaves a lasting impression. Supporting the BETONART Architecture Summer School together with Çimko is very valuable to us because we see every effort that opens the path for young people as a seed planted for our future. I wish all the young participants success and thank everyone who contributed to and supported this meaningful event.”

TÜRKÇİMENTO CEO Volkan Bozay also spoke at the event, saying:

“This year’s program, with its theme of ‘Network,’ allowed us to explore various aspects of concrete — from its design process and diversity to the relationships between its components. On behalf of TÜRKÇİMENTO, I sincerely thank Gaziantep University for their hospitality and collaboration, our university rector, our main sponsor Çimko Cement, and our materials sponsor Polisan Construction Chemicals for their contributions and support.”

Çimko Cement CEO Dr. Önder Kırca, the main sponsor of the summer school, evaluated the event with the following remarks:

“Being the main sponsor of the BETONART Architecture Summer School is a valuable investment in the future for us. At Çimko, we see concrete not just as a building material but as a form of expression that can be redefined through architecture. While the strength of concrete is often highlighted, its design and proper use are equally important. A material truly comes to life when it is interpreted with a vision. We want young people to understand the material, to touch it, to push its boundaries. Because we believe that when combined with the creative perspective of youth, concrete has no limits.”

Gaziantep University Rector Prof. Dr. Sait Mesut Doğan also made a statement, saying:

“The biggest beneficiary of this project has been Gaziantep University. Our campus is already a work of art. In this project, our students were able to showcase their creativity. I thank everyone who contributed.”

Additionally, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Gaziantep University, Prof. Dr. Mehmet İshak Yüce, expressed his satisfaction with hosting the event.

THE THEME OF THE EVENT WAS “NETWORK”  

Curator Senior Architect Erhan Vural shared the following thoughts during the closing evaluation:

 “Last year, I participated in this process as a moderator, and I am honored and delighted to be the curator this year. Architecture is one of the most challenging disciplines, both to study and to practice. Attending programs like this during school years is a mind-opening experience. Architecture is a network of relationships. Of course, we already knew concrete, but through this program, we understood more clearly that it is not merely a building material. For concrete to exist in a structure as it was designed, an incredible network needs to be in place behind the scenes. That’s why this year, we turned the connections we explored — from concrete production to recycling — into a physical output.”