On the eve of the 30th academic year celebrations, GAU is hosting the exhibition of Sustainable Architecture in Europe organized through the 20th year of the establishment of the Architects Council of Europe (ACE).

The exhibition, which consists of one of the best examples of Europe’s various regions with regard to sustainability and 32 projects from 25 European countries, will be displayed at the GAU Faculty of Architecture, Design and Fine Arts until the 28th February. “The Exhibition on Sustainable Architecture in Europe” is presented both in English and Turkish by Turkey Chamber of Architects and exhibited for the first time in Cyprus at GAU under the co-operative organization of TMMOB Chamber of Architects, GAU Environment and Nature Researches Application Centre and GAU Faculty of Architecture, Design and Fine Arts.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by GAU CEO and Chair of GAU Environment and Nature Researches Application Centre - Assist. Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi, GAU General Secretary - Assist. Prof. Dr. Sualp Davut, Vice-Dean of GAU Faculty of Architecture, Design and Fine Arts - Assist. Prof. Dr. Hossein Sadri, Founder of In-Site Architecture - Ali Yapıcıoğlu, heads and member of the departments and also the students.

GAU CEO and Chair of GAU Environment and Nature Researches Application Centre - Assist. Prof. Dr. Asım Vehbi who gave the opening speech for the exhibition, stated that the GAU Faculty of Architecture, Design and Fine Arts has undertaken numerous nature and environment sensitive projects and that these activities of the Faculty are indeed delightful and that these projects are undertaken with the co-operation of both academicians and the students. Vehbi stressed that, as the former Minister of Environment and Natural Resources and current Chair of GAU Environment and Nature Researches Application Centre, he is sensitive on the issues of environment and nature within the framework of both institutional and personal regard. Vehbi underlined that the main idea of the exhibition is sustainable Architecture in Europe and that in order to uphold sustainable architecture it must be integrated with nature.

Vehbi also stressed that the current situation with regard to this issue is far behind in accordance with the regional aspects and emphasized to the students that any work and effort concerning this issue is indeed valuable for the community. Furthermore Vehbi reported that Cyprus enjoys 330 days of sun, but despite this the sun is not efficiently utilised and also the island has no development in means of sea affairs and the small amount of annual rainfall is not well preserved. Vehbi emphasized that instead of these, expensive fossil fuel is used to generate energy and yet again despite this there is lack of understanding to preserve this energy in the household. Vehbi stressed that these are usually conducted by departments of architecture and interior-architecture and also Chamber of Architects and that it is significant to construct buildings accordingly with environment and nature friendly aspects which are sustainable.

Vehbi finally thanked everyone who has participated at the exhibition and announced his expectation to the students to build more nature-sensitive projects.