Student wins trip to Turkey
HER dream visit to Turkey came true when Ygritte Kang Hui Sin beat 14 other participants of the “Study Trip 2022” competition to win a RM10,000 grant for her to explore the country.
Open to architecture students at Taylors’ University, the competition – organised by the Veritas Design Group as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative – tasked participants with planning a nine-day educational and exploratory trip to a country of their choice, with the aim of inspiring students to apply, explore and satisfy their creativty.
In her entry, Kang prepared a nine-day travel dossier on Turkey which showcases its architectural conventions and buildings, and an analysis of the structures studied.
“My winning trip taught me about the spirit of harmony and unity evident in Islamic architecture. It showed me how architecture as a language is timeless.
“Architecture is shaped by the people and it, in turn, shapes the people by bringing them through the past, present and future,” she said in a press release.
Winning the competition, said Kang, was indeed a dream come true as she had always wanted to explore countries with ancient architecture.
“As students, we learn about various architectural styles and designs in our studies but this time, I got to physically experience the structures for myself.
“It was unbelievable,” said Kang, who returned from her trip on Aug 31.
Turkish architecture and its identity, she said, are very well preserved.
Citing the unique Cappadocia rock formations, known as “fairy chimneys” (pic), as having the most impact on her, Kang said the geological formation is the “simplest of architectural grammar”.
The ecological system, climate, culture, functionality, and architectural proportions in the region, she added, are reflected in the topography and culture.
“It’s evident in the architectural inheritance of fairy chimneys, underground cities, and sanctuaries. At the ancient city of Ephesus, I was reminded of the beauty of Greek architecture. I was amazed by its grand historical, cultural and architectural significance,” she said.
Crediting Istanbul as the city that changed her perspective of religious architecture, Kang described the structures she saw there as a nuanced interplay of social interactions, cultural borrowings, power balances, and diplomatic initiatives that led to the birth of sacred spaces in a multi-ethnic and dynamic community.