Dept. of "Culinary Arts and Management" Designed by IAED

 

The interior architecture project of the Dept. of Culinary Arts and Management at Izmir University of Economics was designed by Deniz Hasırcı, Bilge Merve Fidan, Selin Erbilgiç, M. Etka Özoksel, and Ümit Çağlar. The concept was derived from a very Aegean characteristic, the nature of the olive. The olive leaf, olive oil, the olive tree and wood were all inspirations for the various spatial elements.

 

The space is composed of, two entrance hallways (one main from within the building, the other from the outside and that also acts as a multipurpose resting area), a major hallway that distributes the spaces (with a hidden light cove, a covered fire hydrant, and abstractions of olive leaves on the walls), a restaurant, two kitchens (only one was designed), restrooms with showers, locker rooms, storage area for the equipment, utensils and plates, and offices (not included).

 

For the restaurant an additional feature, the Izmir house was introduced with its architectural details. Travertine was used as a very characteristic stone in the Aegean, the color green was continued in a variety of shades. Tables were arranged in a linear format to remind one of enjoyable family dinners where the food is wonderful and the conversations are even more so.

 

The process was carried out with the encouraging and valuable help of Tunçdan Baltacıoğlu (IUE Rector), Ekrem Demirtaş (President of the Board of Trustees of IUE), Nilgün Gürkaynak (the head of the department of CAM), Gabriele Sponza (instructor and major chef at IUE), and Hüsnü Alpan (Project and Construction Director at IUE).

 

The concept was furthered and it is planned to become a chain of restaurants. With this vision in mind, outfits for the waiters, menus and company profile was designed. Even music was composed as the theme of the total concept, acting as a base for the idea. The composition was by Ali İnceoğlu in which he combined the Aegean "texture" with a sleek lounge sound (http://www.myspace.com/aliinceoglu). Thus, the whole concept comes together to form an Aegean local, yet contemporary atmosphere.