IV. Kayseri Arch. Festival curated by Melis Varkal

Oct. 3, 2025

Organized by the Kayseri Chamber of Architects, the Architecture Festival is being held for the fourth time this year. Each year, the festival offers a platform to explore current issues in architecture through a different curatorial framework. This year’s theme, ‘New Communities: The Architecture of Living Together’, aims to examine the relationship between collective ways of living and architecture across different scales and through an interdisciplinary perspective.

As urbanization, digitalization, migration, the housing crisis, and the climate crisis reshape social structures, the physical and social organization of living together is being redefined. In response to these transformations, the festival will host a series of sessions, panels, and workshops to discuss how architecture, the city, and design can generate new answers.

Join us in Kayseri on October 2–3–4 to reflect and discuss these topics!
— Melis Varkal, Curator

Since 2022, the festival has been organized with great dedication by the Kayseri Chamber of Architects, evolving each year into a lasting tradition.

Last year, I had the privilege of joining as a speaker under the curatorship of Sevince Bayrak. This year, stepping into the role of curator myself, we have crafted a festival that reflects long-held ideas and sustained effort.

The commitment of all the speakers who have set aside time to contribute is deeply meaningful. I would like to express my gratitude to each of them in advance, even before the festival begins.

The festival’s program structure offers a broad and nuanced framework to explore the theme “New Communities: The Architecture of Living Together” from different perspectives. The aim is not only to read architecture through buildings, but also to open up discussions on the processes behind them. Civic initiatives also hold an important place within this program. After two inspiring days, we believe the final day of the festival will carry the same excitement. Many thanks to everyone who contributed.

Panel