THE BEST PAVILION OF ISTANBUL

Our last destination was Istanbul. Van der Rohe who is known as a father of modern architecture finished his tourist office work last week.                                              

 Mies Van der Rohe was born in Germany. Along with Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Frank Llyod Wright he is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern architecture. He created an influential architectural style stated as; extremely clarity and simplicity. He is often associated with his quotation of the aphorisms, "less is more" and " God is in the details". 

If it requires an example for understanding better his style, I can give some details about one of his masterpieces which is Forsworth House. It seems simple, but Mies worked through 167 drawings to come his final, fearless design. Like Einstein's equation, its simplicity exudes an elegance through a through attention to detail. However, Mies did not create Farnsworth House to be an iconic glass box viewed from afar. Rather, he hoped to create a space  through which life unfolds both independently and interdependently with nature.

He reflected the same style in his new project which is like a gift to Sultanahmet Square. This area hosts tons of tourists in a year. Because of that there must be a tourist information office in there. Mies did it masterfully. This tourist office's facade is not so fancy, in contrary it is so basic. When I looked at it, I just saw glass wall and the wood frame. I was so excited and all I wanted was getting inside and explore this structure from top to buttom. When I got inside I saw a dark room which is used to show some slide shows about Sultanahmet Square and its history. In the right side, there was a gift stand. Then I went upstair. I saw a traditional room. There was a Turkish coffee service inside. I sat a couch that is called 'somya'. On the ground there was a colorfull carpet called as 'kilim'. In the middle of the upstair, there was a meeting room. Personnels were so friendly, they halped me and gave me information so much. I loved this place. I loved the design of this tourist information office. I strongly recommended to you to go there.

Büşra GÖKER.