The 1st Furniture Education Summit, organized under the roof of MODOKO Academy on May 17, 2025, brought together sector representatives, academics, designers, and students in MODOKO, one of Turkey’s leading centers of furniture production. With the main theme “Shaping the Future of Furniture Education: Problems, Solutions, Innovations,” the summit addressed the growing need for a contemporary and sustainable educational model in furniture design and production.
The day began with a breakfast hosted by the MODOKO management. Participants then proceeded to the official opening ceremony held at the MODOKO Academy venue. During the opening, representatives from public institutions, MODOKO management, artists, and academics delivered speeches. Following the ceremony, attendees toured the workshop areas and engaged in hands-on production processes with master craftsmen.
The summit also witnessed strong academic participation from various universities. Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts, Departments of Interior Architecture and Environmental Design (Tr&Eng) and Interior Architecture, were actively represented. Department Chairs Asst. Prof. Dr. İbrahim Erol and Asst. Prof. Dr. Kadir Öz, along with lecturer Lect. Muhammed Said Erdemonar, attended the event and engaged in sectoral dialogue.
During the roundtable sessions held throughout the summit, current challenges in furniture education and future-oriented solutions were discussed in a comprehensive manner. In the afternoon sessions, speakers from creative industries shared their insights, focusing on how different design perspectives could be integrated into education through artistic presentations.
Key topics addressed during the summit included digital production processes, the use of sustainable materials, the enhancement of hands-on education, and the improvement of instructor qualifications. Participants agreed on the necessity of combining traditional craftsmanship knowledge with contemporary design in educational models.
Intended to become a traditional event in the future, this summit has been recognized as a significant step at both academic and industry levels. MODOKO Academy’s initiative in this regard stands out as a vital effort to enhance the quality of furniture design education.
We extend our sincere thanks to all participants, MODOKO Academy, and the representatives of Istanbul Gelisim University for their valuable contributions.
