İstanbul Gelişim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (GSF), continues to crown its visionary education approach with the contributions of its academic staff to international literature. In this context, Department Head Asst. Prof. Dr. Kadir Öz and Asst. Prof. Dr. Meliha Havva Öz authored a significant chapter in the book "Current Approaches to Space and Design in Architecture," edited by Elif Çam and published in April 2026.
Minka: Spatial Dialectics Between Nature and Humans
Featured in the second chapter of the book, the study examines "Minka" houses, the cornerstone of traditional Japanese civil architecture. Asst. Prof. Dr. Kadir Öz and Asst. Prof. Dr. Meliha Havva Öz treat Minka not merely as a physical shelter, but as a life philosophy that establishes a balance between nature and humans, constructed from the part to the whole.
The study analyzes various concepts within the framework of spatial dialectics, such as:
-
Engawa (Veranda): The unique transitional area between interior and exterior spaces,
-
Doma (Earth Floor): The center for daily chores and kitchen activities,
-
Ima and Heya: Flexible and multi-functional volumes shaped according to the spirit of the time.
The research demonstrates how Minka’s structure, designed as "transitional cells," can inspire modern interior design practices regarding flexibility, modularity, and human scale through a methodological lens.
Sustainable Success in Academic Productivity
The IGU Department of Interior Architecture elevates the theoretical education provided to its students to a universal level through such qualified academic publications. This work by Asst. Prof. Dr. Kadir Öz and Asst. Prof. Dr. Meliha Havva Öz serves as a reference source not only for those interested in Japanese architecture but also for all designers working on "spatial flexibility" and "interior-exterior integration."
The Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Fine Arts congratulated our professors on this achievement, emphasizing that such scientific publications, which strengthen the theoretical weight of the department in the design world, will continue to increase. This work, brought into the literature in April 2026, continues to reinforce IGU’s identity as a research-oriented university on an international scale.
