First Session of the Urban and Architecture Seminar Series: A Thought-Provoking Discussion on Orientalism and Islamic Architecture

The first event of the Urban and Architecture Seminar Series, organized by the Department of Architecture at Istanbul Gelisim University, was held with a presentation titled Orientalism and Islamic Architecture by Dr. Pelin Ekşi.

Co-organized by the Environmental, Urbanization and Earth Sciences Application and Research Center (CSYBUAM) and the Istanbul Studies Application and Research Center (ICUAM), the seminar took place on 2 December 2025 at the K Block Firnas Auditorium with a large audience in attendance.

In her presentation, Dr. Pelin Ekşi offered a comprehensive discussion on the historical origins of the concept of orientalism, the leading figures of the movement, and its perceptual and formal reflections on Islamic architecture. Participants had the opportunity to engage with a rich set of examples and examine how orientalist perspectives have influenced architectural production, fostering a multidimensional discussion environment.

The seminar contributed to a deeper understanding of architectural history, theory, and issues of cultural representation, generating significant interest in the upcoming sessions of the Urban and Architecture Seminar Series.