Mehmet Kalyoncu: Transparency, Harmony With Nature and the Power of Music in Architecture
In an interview with Platin magazine, Mehmet Kalyoncu shared his views on a range of topics, from architectural education and his approach to urban planning to transparency in the construction sector and his relationship with music. Stating that he has been interested in architecture since childhood, Kalyoncu emphasized that good architecture should be assessed not only in aesthetic terms but through the relationship between the environment, people and the spaces they live in.
How Did His Architectural Journey Begin?
Explaining that his interest in architecture dates back to his childhood, Mehmet Kalyoncu says that during high school he attended a summer school organized by the University of Oxford and carried out academic work on Renaissance architecture. He later began studying architecture at Yıldız Technical University and transferred to Istanbul Technical University after his first year.
Noting that his family’s background in the construction sector also influenced his choice of profession, Kalyoncu points out that construction is, at its core, about “producing space.” For this reason, he believes it is important for the construction sector to be run by qualified, competent people with the right oversight mechanisms.
Transparency and Digitalization in the Construction Sector
Building permits and inspection processes are among the issues Kalyoncu highlighted in the interview. Arguing that a more transparent, fair and scientific system must be established in the sector, Kalyoncu proposes a model in which permit processes can be moved online.
Stating that transparency could be increased if the architect, contractor, developer and municipality could all follow the process on the same digital platform, Kalyoncu says that an infrastructure in which changes and past transactions are visible to everyone is also important for public trust.
“I Believe the Architecture That Does the Least Is Good Architecture”
Harmony with nature lies at the heart of Mehmet Kalyoncu’s architectural approach. Describing his own architectural style, Kalyoncu says, “I believe the architecture that does the least is good architecture,” advocating an approach that is free yet takes into account the characteristics of its surroundings.
He states that a building should take shape by correctly reading the climate, topography, air and surrounding elements of its location. In his view, a good space should not only appeal to the eye; it should leave the right feeling and allow people to become one with the space they are in.
Mehmet Kalyoncu’s Passion for Music and the Piano
Another part of the interview highlights Kalyoncu’s long-standing interest in music. Having played the piano since the age of about 10, Kalyoncu explains that he began his musical education in childhood and over time turned to composing.
Describing the piano as a free instrument that makes it possible to play different genres of music, Kalyoncu says that, due to his busy working life, he has recently focused more on composing than on playing.
Saying he tries to capture shared emotions in his compositions, Kalyoncu describes his relationship with music in these words: “In my compositions, I focus more on emotion. Then I turn to the concepts that this emotion awakens in me.”
Mehmet Kalyoncu, who says he would also like to bring his compositions together in an album in the future, sees architecture and music meeting at a common point: creating emotion and meaning in people.